USA – 2013 – 95 MIN – COLOUR - FEATURE - IN ENGLISH
A FILM BY DESTIN DANIEL CRETTON

SHORT TERM 12 is told through the eyes of Grace (Brie Larson), a twenty- something supervisor at a foster-care facility for at-risk teenagers. Passionate and tough, Grace is a formidable caretaker of the kids in her charge – and in love with her long-term boyfriend and co-worker, Mason (John Gallagher Jr.)

But Grace’s own difficult past – and the surprising future that suddenly presents itself – throw her into unforeseen confusion, made all the sharper with the arrival of a new intake at the facility – Jayden (Kaitlyn Dever), a gifted but troubled teenage girl with whom Grace has a charged connection.

She and Mason also struggle to help Marcus (Keith Stanfield) – an intense, quiet kid who is about to turn 18 – manage through the difficulty of having to leave the facility.

Grace comes to find – in both her work and the new teenager in her care – surprising sources of redemption. And while the subject matter is complex and often dark, this lovingly realized film finds truth – and humor – in unexpected places.

 

4.5 out of 5! "moments of pure joy!" 
- CBC NEWS (Video review) 

"Larson keeps things in focus, with her innately natural portrayal of Grace as a woman of integrity and resolve who is slowly coming to terms with her own fragile existence."
- THE TORONTO STAR

“...the movie’s real resonance is its exploration of empathy and vocation.”
- THE GLOBE AND MAIL

“...Cretton’s terrific first feature is a powerful, deeply felt character study…"
- NOW MAGAZINE

"Thoughtful and compassionate, it’s no docudrama, but a powerful story of parallel lives…"
- THE WHOLENOTE MAGAZINE

"Though remarkable for both its verve and sensitivity, Brie Larson’s central performance may be the main reason to see SHORT TERM 12."
- THE GRID

"SHORT TERM 12 could easily be one of 2013′s most talked about likeable indies."
- WYLIE WRITES

“...one of 2013's big indie darlings."
- BLOGTO

“…Larson’s tour-de-force performance carries this touching indie drama."
- METRO

"SHORT TERM 12 is a deeply moving debut and a reminder that the biggest emotions can come from the smallest budgets.”
- TORONTO FILM SCENE

by Donal O'Connor
- MY ETV MEDIA

"There is beauty in this movie and it comes from the people. But there is also pain, and it, too, comes from the people - making for a delicate dynamic that Cretton balances on the top of his head."
- REGINA LEADER-POST

Director of SHORT TERM 12: “I Had to Keep the Drama in Check” (Interview with director Destin Cretton)
- PLANET S

“...the superb SHORT TERM 12 — proof that in the end, all you need is a good story to tell."
- PLANET S

“Viewers are as well taken care of as the troubled teens in this quiet, powerful film"
- THE GLOBE AND MAIL

(Interview with director Destin Daniel Cretton)
- NOW MAGAZINE

(Interview with director Destin Daniel Cretton)
- DORK SHELF

(Interview with director Destin Daniel Cretton)
- GROLSCH FILM WORKS

"a tiny, quietly-rendered indie film with the huge, boldly beating heart of a blockbuster."
- DIGITAL JOURNAL