Short Term 12 – Stille Helden (2013)

Short Term 12 – Stille Helden: Directed by Destin Daniel Cretton. With Brie Larson, John Gallagher Jr., Stephanie Beatriz, Rami Malek. A 20-something supervising staff member of a residential treatment facility navigates the troubled waters of that world alongside her co-worker and longtime boyfriend.

“u0026quot;You are not their friend, and you are not their therapist,u0026quot; Jack (Frantz Turner) to Grace (Brie Larson)u003cbr/u003eu003cbr/u003eYou can be forgiven if you think Short Term 12 is a documentary, so close it seems to the reality of a foster-care facility, so natural its acting in almost every character. If you see any films this month, makes sure this is one of themu003cbr/u003eu003cbr/u003eFirst time helmer Destin Cretton, with two yearsu0026#39; experience in a similar care-giving facility (The title refers to the 12 or so group homes for teens in the county), has masterfully relayed the love and sorrow inherent in a place where virtually everyone is displaced from a parent, or abused, even the staff.u003cbr/u003eu003cbr/u003eThe story belongs to Grace (Brie Larson), a caring giver who influences for good many of her charges, not easy cases any one of them. Part of the reason she is so successful is that she knows from abuse by her father, who is in prison for his offenses. She finds a younger Doppelganger of sorts in defiant teen Jadyn (Kaitlyn Dever), whose traumas at the hands of her father are ongoing and call for identifying with Graceu0026#39;s experiences and strong remedy. Watch for an Oscar nomination if this indie is seen by enough of us.u003cbr/u003eu003cbr/u003eTo parallel the challenges of the home, Graceu0026#39;s home with fellow staffer, boyfriend Mason is both loving and stressful because she struggles with becoming pregnant and reconciling her tortured past with her father, who is ready to be released form prison. Mason is the ideal caregiver, loving and competent with the teenagers and her.u003cbr/u003eu003cbr/u003eAlthough many moments could be melancholic or downright tear-jerking in other hands, Cretton doesnu0026#39;t allow excessive sorrow to rule; rather, the sadness is mitigated by the small triumphs. Hey, thatu0026#39;s just like real life. u003cbr/u003eu003cbr/u003eThis little indie will cure you of any longing for summer blockbusters and their half-billion-dollar entanglements. Short Term 12u0026#39;s situations are enough satisfying drama for ten Lone Rangers.”