Short Term 12

Short Term 12 (2013). Director: Destin Daniel Cretton

Short Term 12 tells a story of a young woman, Grace, who runs a halfway home for teenagers from dysfunctional families. However, as the story progresses, we realize that the seemingly strong and capable Grace has issues of her own. By helping those teenagers, it is as if Grace went back in time to save her teenage self. Ironically, this job also seems to bring a comforting intoxication that allows Grace to look away from her own issues. The arrival of a new girl, who reminds Grace of her dark past, cracks the system that Grace has had working inside for years. Grace finally realizes that she needs just as much help as those teenagers under her wings and that she has to confront her dark past before she can put it behind. 

There are movies that are great because their plots serve as beautiful metaphors for something about human nature; there are also movie that are just as great by taking the opposite route. Those movies tell straightforward stories, but do so with such sincerity and emotional authenticity that they grip the audience from the beginning to the end. Short Term 12 is just one such movie. With a story that is truly emotionally riveting, Short Term 12 successfully avoids resorting to sensationalism, both in terms of script and acting. The script is fantastic, especially the humor that is sprinkled here and there throughout the movie; it provides a nice balance to the sometimes heavy story lines and makes us like the characters more. The acting, which so wonderfully delivers the genuineness of the script on screen, is a big reason that makes the movie so emotionally gripping. 

Every once in a while, a movie would come along that sweeps you off your feet in the most direct way possible, with no fancy tricks and no gimmicks. In the time of cinematographic innovations, where making a simple movie has actually become harder, I particularly appreciate films that have great stories and tell them sincerely. Short Term 12 is a movie that will pinch your heart with its plot yet bring the warmth back by the time the credits start to roll. I truly recommend it.