Short Term 12, review - Telegraph Dir: Destin Cretton; Starring: Brie Larson, John Gallagher Jr., Kaitlyn Dever, Stephanie Beatriz, Rami Malek In stark contrast to this week's major release, Philomena, a compassionate institution is examined in Short Term 12, Destin Cretton's film about a temporary foster-care home for troubled children spectacularly failed by their families. A calm young staff member, Grace (Brie Larson) tries daily to comfort and cajole the children in her care, even when they try to escape: one skinny red-headed child speeds uncontrollably towards the gates with worrying regularity. Grace, who had an abusive childhood herself, is pregnant and groping nervously towards a family life with her boyfriend Mason (John Gallagher Jr), who also works at the facility. But when a surly young girl called Jayden (Kaitlyn Dever) arrives, her particular case stirs up painful ghosts. The story, seething with convincing adolescent drama, is sharply and sensitively told, and Larson in particular gives a performance (sweet, sad and strong) that marks her out for a stellar career.