Writer/Director: Destin Daniel Cretton
Starring: Brie Larson, Rami Malek and LaKeith Steilfeld
‘A Captivating Classic’
Not many actresses in Hollywood have earned the appreciation of Brie Larson. Ever since her stardom in the 2000’s, Larson has become an extraordinary icon. Whenever it be marvellous captains, spectacular teenagers or larger than life mothers, Larson has depicted many strong characters. Arguably, Larson’s finest strength as an actress has often been her commitment. She is one of those actresses that has always poured her heart and soul in each role. Shining a bright light in darkness, Larson has become a beloved icon in the entertainment business. Through her ability to portray characters that are compelling, Larson has crafted a powerful legacy which is lasting. Larson’s commitment to her craft has made her a celebrated icon in entertainment. Throughout a groundbreaking career, Larson has crafted several memorable movies tackling commemorated themes which are definitely without any single doubt worth seeing.
I’m a big fan of Larson and adore all the films which she has made in her career. However, “Short Term 12” is my favourite. Ever since its release in 2019, Brie Larson’s movie has stood the test of time as one of the greatest comic-book films ever made. Packed with stunning production-design, engaging storytelling and powerful acting, it’s one of the finest movies ever made about mental health. At the centre of it all is an exceptional performance from Brie Larson, who embodies a strong caretaker of a mental facility. Ultimately, what makes “Short Term 12” a masterpiece is its strong message. The film delivers a bold message about mental health which would definitely resonate with everyone. A captivating film about mental institutions, there are several strong reasons why “Short Tern 12” is a commemorated classic worth seeing.
“Short Term 12” tells the story of a caretaker of a facility which struggles to fulfill her personal responsibilities. Brie Larson embodies Grace Howard, a compassionate caretaker seeking to care for children in a mental home. Grace is an affectionate woman that dedicates her life to taking care of troubled teens in her mental home. Grace has always been committed to her job of assisting lives of risk youth. She has always had a way for working with kids that are underprivileged in her facility. However, her hopes of assisting children are threatened by past trauma. Facing a dilemma, Grace begins to question whether she will ever be able to care for troubled youth facing trauma. As all the odds are stacked against her favour, she begins to question whether it’s truly possible to care for children which are doomed to endure disaster.
Destin Daniel Cretton is a newcomer towards themes of mental health. Before he directed “Short Term 12”, Cretton had never made a movie about institutions before. It marked the filmmaker’s directorial debut. It was Cretton’s first attempt to capture the lives of troubled teenagers trapped in a mental institution, but he succeeded immensely. Through gorgeous cinematography, Cretton captures a woman’s journey struggling to take care of youth in a mental institution. Visually, the film is a bold feast for the eyes. Cretton effectively employs handheld camerawork to capture a woman struggling taking care of troubled teenagers in an institution. For instance, handheld cameras elevate the group meeting scene. During this unforgettable scene, Grace struggles holding a group session taking care of teenagers facing tension. Handheld camera is a tricky technique to use in most films. As “Lenny Abrahamson’s “Room” suggested, handheld camera elevates literature adaptations. Nevertheless, it works extremely well in this movie. Through stunning visuals, Cretton captures the lives of troubled teens that are stuck in isolated settings which are frightening.
Another admirable aspect of “Short Term 12” that deserves appreciation is the production. From a technical perspective, the film is very well-made. Cretton expertly uses set-design capturing the lives of teens that experience a decline. Cretton’s decisions to shoot the film in real life mental health facilities is risky but it works extremely in this movie. For instance, the set-design of the mental facility elevates the rap scene. During this memorable scene, Marcus raps a song he wrote expressing his views on his impoverished life. One admires the production-design of the mental homes capturing the lives of teenagers enduring a decline. Moreover, the musical score is also magnificent. Joel P. West’s music is integral toward the success of the movie. It gives the film a tense atmosphere capturing the heavy burden that teenagers in mental facilities are facing. Through stunning production-design, Cretton captures the lives of teenagers in a facility facing decline.
Storytelling is one of the main reasons why “Short Term 12” is an engaging film that’s compelling. The movie is beautifully written, and effectively uses silence to capture the lives of teenagers in mental institutions that face mental disturbance. Cretton’s greatest screenwriting strength is capturing trauma of teenagers in a mental institution experiencing a dilemma. For instance, silence enhances the shaving head scene. During this unforgettable scene, Grace shaves the head of Marcus in an incident that leads to shocking secrets about child abuse. One acknowledges silence which captures the tension faced by teens enduring a mental disturbance. Silence is a complicated technique to employ in most movies. As James Ponsoldt’s “The Spectacular Now” suggested, silence elevates spectacular romantic dramas about teenagers. Nevertheless, it works highly in this movie. Through a fantastic screenplay, Cretton captures the lives of teenagers facing a price to pay.
One appreciates astonishing performances.
Brie Larson delivers one of her finest career performances as Grace. Larson achieved recognition for playing spectacular teens in sad romantic dramas. With “Short Term 12”, however, she took on her most emotional role. It isn’t easy to embody a woman struggling to take care of children in a mental institution, but Larson succeeds tremendously. This is the actress unlike you have ever seen her before: intense, charismatic and emotional in her most memorable role. With riveting expressions, she conveys the angst, determination and trauma of a foster care worker struggling taking care of children with severe mental health issues in an institution. It’s a phenomenal performance from one of the finest actresses working in the film industry today.
LaKeith Stanfield is spectacular as a teenager struggling to move on after facing abuse in his childhood. In his first ever breakthrough role, Stanfield showcased his aptitude for playing conflicted teenagers whose lives spiral out of control. Whether he’s having his head shaved with resentment or retaliating against peers in the institution, Stanfield effectively uses body language to capture the tensions experienced by a teenager facing tragedy. It’s a role which gave the actor an opportunity to showcase his aptitude for portraying teenagers experiencing conflicted emotions. It’s a strong performance from one of the finest African-American actors working today.
The supporting cast is sensational and worthy of appreciation. Rami Malek is marvellous, and brings humanity to a caretaker struggling to care of teenagers in a mental facility. Kaitlyn Denver dazzling, capturing the sensitive nature of a teenage girl that is haunted by memories being abused by her father. Last but not least, Kevin Hernandez merits appreciation. As the troubled teen of a mental institution, he brings heartfelt emotion.
Finally, “Short Term 12” will earn appreciation of everyone for capturing struggle endured by teenagers in foster homes. Unlike most films about foster homes, it tackles strong themes everyone would relate to. The film discusses powerful themes including identity, mental health and trauma which would resonate with everyone. Viewers don’t need to have been at foster homes to appreciate it. It delivers an inspiring message about trauma which would resonate with everyone. Therefore, “Short Term 12” is one of those rare movies about foster homes which everyone would be able to adore.
Fans of Brie Larson will definitely appreciate “Short Term 12” and so will movie-goers that seek heartfelt entertainment. A captivating classic, it celebrates an actress that has built a legacy which is iconic.
A captivating portrait of female caretakers struggling to take care of troubled teenagers haunted by memories of child abuse in mental institutions that are terrifying, it’s a riveting reminder of an awe-inspiring actress that has built a lasting legacy gaining a humongous fan following through her abilities to portray compelling characters in unforgettable movies which are definitely without a doubt worth celebrating.
5/5 stars
The Film Buff 