The reviews got me, I got played. Sure, it shows how a Foster-Care Facility functions which could've been concluded in 5 minutes. The rest of it was absolute trash, No character development, No Plot or Drama just a bunch of overly zoomed-in shots on Poker faces and needless dialogues to fill in between. Sorry I can't sympathize with characters if I don't know how they feel. There are many movies that do better job depicting a disturbed childhood. What a disappointment.

I grew up with abuse and this movie is heart warming and real.not easy to watch, but if youve had tough times it just makes sense. The emotions are on point. Brie Larson is brilliant. Marcus is spot on. And it is also cute and funny while being authentic and heavy. Doesn't try hard at being anything though. It just works

This movie just destroyed me. Maybe it's because I am a former social worker. Maybe it's because I worked in a residence program. Maybe it's because I worked with youth once. Or maybe it's because this movie grasped that story does not need to be contrived. Just take some real characters and real emotions and real conflict. Mix well and: done. The filmmaker opted for show instead of tell. And it showed.

Every once in awhile, a film comes completely out of nowhere and utterly surprises me. This was exactly the case with "Short Term 12". It took a family member to recommended it to me...and even he only knew of it via film school! I'm glad I checked it out, though, as it held me in tow for the duration.For a basic plot summary, this film focuses on a "holding tank" for young people who are awaiting court judgments. In other words, the next step before either juvenile detention or foster care. Grace (Brie Larson) and Mason (John Gallagher Jr.) are the most experienced staff leaders, and they also happen to be in a relationship with each other. As the viewer learns more about the facility, residents such as Marcus (Keith Stanfield), Luis (Kevin Hernandez), Sammy (Alex Calloway), and Jayden (Kaitlyn Dever) are introduced, including an insider look at why each of them are at the facility.This is a movie about people and issues...plain and simple. Right from the opening scene, director Destin Daniel Cretton knows how to seamlessly begin weaving a complex drama, one which only strengthens as the characters are introduced. Basically, the strength of the film is that each character feels so "real". Nothing seems overly dramatic or "made up". Facilities like this exist, people like this exist, and "Short Term 12" tries its best to show the reality of the situation through a number of different possible scenarios.This movie is also quite a small production. It doesn't need a big-name director, crazy CGI, or a star-studded cast to succeed. It just relies on the "old school" qualities of a solid script, great acting from everyone, and a diverse range of characters that will give "something to everyone".Perhaps the biggest compliment I can give "Short Term 12"? I'm not just "being nice" to it because it is an independent film. It is more just the opposite...I'm marveling at how such a low- key movie can rank right up there among my favorites. Kind of a sad statement to make regarding the movie-producing business, which is so caught up right now in sequels and "get 'em in the theater" flicks. "Short Term 12" proves, however, that nothing over-the-top is needed to make a great film.