Short Term 12

Short Term 12 (2013) starring Brie Larson, John Gallagher Jr., Kaitlyn Dever, Rami Malek. Grace (Larson) and her boyfriend Mason (Gallagher) are counselors at a home for unwanted children, where the residents "age out" at 18, and where all the kids are troubled to some degree. Of particular notice is Jayden (Dever), a girl who comes to the home but doesn't expect to stay long because "I'm going to my father's house." For a low-budget film, this one is particularly well done, and I was moved by the plight of these poor homeless kids. Complications set in when Grace learns that she is pregnant, and when she learns that her abusive father is about to be released from jail. (Subtitles in English are not offered on the disc, but closed captions are available.) Grade: A-