Short Term 12 is a heartbreaking look into the foster care system told through the eyes of Grace, played by the fantastic Brie Larson, who earned an Independent Spirit Award nomination for the role.
Grace is a former foster child, who is now a dedicated young worker supervising at-risk teens in a group foster home. The group home is a temporary stop for most of these children, who are in between foster homes until they turn 18 and age out of the system.
Grace’s relationship with her boyfriend and co-worker Mason (John Gallagher, Jr) is strained when she becomes invested in the well being and future of Jayden, a young girl who reminds Grace of herself. Her close relationship with Jayden is just one of many compelling aspects of this film that offers a look into the foster care system.
Short Term 12 offers great performances in an uncommon story setting. It won the Audience and Grand Jury Awards for Best Narrative Feature at SXSW 2013, and is available digitally (iTunes, Amazon Instant) and on DVD/Blu-ray.
— M.A. ST JOHN
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