You MUST See This Movie: "Short Term 12"
Tuesday, July 23, 2013 at 5:39PM It's one month away from opening (August 23rd) but I can no longer resist the urge to start the drum-beating...
Mark your calendars and call your local indie-friendly theater to make sure they're scheduling it and see Short Term 12. It's the moving story of a supervisor at a foster care facility (Brie Larson) and her relationships with her boyfriend and the kids she works with. It's the single greatest marketing-hook-free directorial debut feature I can think of since, oh, Raising Victor Vargas (2003). If that doesn't ring a bell (too few people saw it) let me just say that it's the most moving low key indie since Weekend (2011). If you love either of those movies or know how much I love them you'll understand that this is basically my highest recommendation.
I promise you it'll be on my top ten list and I plan to beg all of you to see it. Don't make me have to catch a plane and rent a car and drive to your house and take you myself. That'll get pricey!
Reader Comments (13)
1 ticket sold.
I watched No earlier this year on your recommendation and loved it, but I'm not so sure about this one. I haven't seen either of the two movies you mentioned so I really don't have a reference point here; I'll have to wait and see.
You've sold me, Nathan. I loved both "Weekend" and "Raising Victor Vargas", and if "Short Term 12" is even remotely as moving, then I'll be in line opening day.
I'm in
im dubious about it - another liberal guilt movie about under privileged people of color?
I desperately want this playing in a city near me. I've loved Brie Larson since The United States of Tara and I really like the movie was made by people who actually know the system they made for their subject.
"im dubious about it - another liberal guilt movie about under privileged people of color?"
There's a lot of kids in the home, some are POC and some are lily-white. Destin Daniel Cretton, who is Asian-American, had previous worked as a social worker in the same circumstances as the lead characters. From what I've read the movie is actually pretty unsentimental but pretty humane and honest.
Alyssa Rosenberg's piece when she saw it at SXSW sold me the movie:
http://thinkprogress.org/alyssa/2013/06/04/2096611/short-term-12-and-the-importance-of-filmmakers-life-experiences/?mobile=nc
But does Brie Larson sit on a birthday cake while dressed like a warrior princess in it? That's what I really need to know.
JA -- alas no. There are cupcakes, though!
Murtada -- i can assure you that fear will prove unfounded. There's even a super uncomfortable moment that is like a reply to your comment ;)
@Nathaniel - Ok it's on the list - you've never steered me wrong before
I really don't give a damn about the politics or liberal guilt or whatever but from the trailer this looks like an amazing indie movie I just hope that this movie will come here to san antonio since we only have one theater here in town that shows indie movies, because I will definitely go see it thanks for the post
Love the trailer; was disappointed it didn't play the Sydney Film Festival. Will probably go straight to DVD in Australia next year sometime. *grumble*
Wonder if the film can get some awards attention beyond Gothams and Indie Spirits.
So good. Brie Larson literally hasn't given a performance I haven't thought was excellent. Even in crap like "Rampart" or "Scott Pilgrim".