Short Term 12 
Starring: Brie Larson, John Gallagher Jr., Kaitlyn Dever, Stephanie Beatriz, Rami Malek, Alex Calloway, Kevin Hernandez, Lydia Du Veaux, Keith Stanfield, Frantz Turner
Directed by: Destin Cretton
Rated: R
Run Time: 96 mins
Genre: Drama
Opens August 30th
By Lisa Minzey of The Reel Critic.com
Opening this week as a Harkins Camelview 5 exclusive is the drama “Short Term 12” starring Brie Larsen, John Gallagher Jr and Rami Malek. Winner for several awards at the Locarno International Film Festival will this film see further hardware going into Hollywood’s award season?
The first day on any job can be a tough one, especially when it’s at a foster care facility for at risk teens. Focusing on a group of young councilors and the kids under their care, the line that separates them is very thin as some of them were once in these kids shoes. Group leader Grace (Brie Larson) is the big sister/ mother hen type who really identifies with Jayden (Kaitlyn Dever), a recent addition to the Short Term 12 home. Grace's under-the-radar boyfriend, fellow councilor Mason (John Gallagher Jr.) desperately adores and loves Grace, but her inability to communicate with him puts their relationship at risk. Nate (Rami Malek) is the newbie counselor, working a summer job while on break from school. Rounding out the day crew counselors is Jessica, mo-nonsense counselor that keeps the kids in line if the rest of the counsellors are dealing with one of the other kids in the middle of a mental meltdown.
Trying to navigate the daily interactions with these kids proves to be a challenge for Grace as the issues of her past surface when her life faces sudden changes. Will Grace be able to cope or will she succumb to her past jeopardizing more people than she realizes?
Full of rich, complex characters, the cast of Short Term 12 delivers performances that stimulate strong empathy, genuine laughter and deep emotional responses. The story pacing is moves in time much like a well tuned orchestra, keeping the flow moving well. Be sure to check out “Short Term 12” when it opens at Harkins Camelview 5 starting Friday August 30, 2013.
