Director: Destin Cretton
Year Released: 2013
Rating: 2.0
Dedicated but troubled Grace (Brie Larson) works - along with her boyfriend Mason (John Gallagher Jr.) - with disadvantaged, psychologically disturbed kids in a treatment facility, except past traumas get dredged up for her when she (a.) discovers she's pregnant (she wants to abort it) and (b.) has to deal with a new resident (Kaitlyn Dever) whose problems mirror her own sad, personal history. It's fine and all when observing the 'little moments' that capture the feeling of dealing with these kinds of lost youths (one routinely runs away, one cuts herself, one writes horrifyingly graphic songs), but falls to pieces the longer it goes on, building up to a ludicrous third act in which histrionics are in full effect ... and somehow everyone's demons get magically erased (sorry, smashing a car window does not erase the pain of being molested by one's father, plus there is no way in which the Marcus character becomes 'well-adjusted' after attempting suicide and being so inherently troubled). Larson is very good in the lead - she's shown herself adept at handling comedic roles and supporting roles - but the script lets her down.
