WHO’S IN IT?
Brie Larson (21 Jump Street), John Gallagher Jr (Jonah Hex), Kaitlyn Dever (Bad Teacher), Rami Malek (Night at the Museum), Keith Stanfield (film debut), Kevin Hernandez (The Sitter), Melora Walters (Boogie Nights)
WHO’S BEHIND THE CAMERA?
Destin Cretton (I Am Not A Hipster), director, writer; Joshua Astrachan (Friends With Kids), Asher Goldstein (film debut), Ron Najor (I Am Not A Hipster) and Maren Olson (film debut), producers; Joel P. West (I Am Not A Hipster), composer; Brett Pawlak (Shadowman), cinematographer; Nat Sanders (Your Sister’s Sister), editor
WHAT’S IT ABOUT?
Grace (Larson) is a young supervisor at a foster-care facility for teenagers who are at risk of suicide, drug abuse or worse. A formidable caretaker alongside co-worker and boyfriend Mason (Gallagher Jr), Grace’s own dark past soon presents itself upon the arrival of Jayden (Dever), a gifted but troubled girl who she instantly establishes a connection with. While also motivating Marcus (Stanfield), an intense and quiet teenager on the cusp of turning 18, Grace finds surprising sources of redemption in both her work and the teens she looks after…
WHY SHOULD YOU BE EXCITED?
In a modern era where nearly every film cannot get by without being noticed, Short Term 12 is a film that has come almost out of nowhere to take everyone by surprise in the best way possible.
Not only is it among one of the highest-rated films of the year – a “universal acclaim” rating of 85 on Metacritic and a stunning 99% fresh rating on Rotten Tomatoes more or less proves everyone seems to love it – but some are even calling it a possible underdog to take home some much deserved awards.
The most attention for such accolades lies with its lead actress, Brie Larson. The singer-cum-actress has already made waves with appearances in popular films like Scott Pilgrim vs. The World and 21 Jump Street (she also appears in this month’s Don Jon with Joseph Gordon-Levitt), but this is her first proper starring role and if everyone else raving about this film is to be believed then she is a pure godsend in the part. Expect her career to rightfully go on upwards after this film, and maybe even further than that.
Director Destin Cretton, who also wrote the script, may also be on the cards for a bit of recognition. Adapting from his own short film of the same name, Cretton seems to have found something truly cinematic and uplifting in otherwise tragic circumstances. The fact that is focuses on a care home for troubled teenagers with many likely cases of abuse, bodily harm and Lord knows what else lends itself the opportunity to add some social commentary that really sticks with you, but also remembers it has an audience to entertain so finds warmth and humour in the least likely places.
Realistically, however, its awards chances within the big leagues (Oscar, BAFTA etc) are sadly minuscule. The Best Actress category is already packed with frontrunners like Cate Blanchett, Sandra Bullock, Meryl Streep et al, so it seems like Larson’s best chances may lie within accolades like the Independent Spirit Awards and perhaps a few critics’ circles. Probably its best bet might be for Cretton’s screenplay, but even then it would be competing for attention alongside Woody Allen and the Coen Brothers.
At the end of the day, though, Short Term 12 doesn’t need awards to give it absolute lasting power. Critical acclaim, tight direction and writing, and a central lead performance by Brie Larson have already done that. And it’s all there for you to witness yourselves.
