Review of Fruitvale Station (2013) by Dean R — 01 Jan 2014

Because of course I needed another reason to hate cops.

Going into Fruitvale Station I knew nothing about the film. In fact, I had never even heard of it. And it is also entirely coincidence that I happened to watch it on New Year's. It is odd for me to step into a film knowing nothing about it, but it allowed for one of the most engrossing film experiences I've had in quite some time. We should all watch films without the burden of expectations.

Disclaimer: Don't read this if you don't want to hear what happens. It's impossible to discuss this otherwise.

The plot of Fruitvale Station is simple. It follows a 22 year old Oscar Grant around as he goes about his day on New Year's Eve. Over the course of this day we get to know him better. We see him with his girlfriend, his daughter, his mother, and his friends. And through the interactions with these various people we get the sense that he is a kind hearted, giving person. But also, through use of flashbacks, we see another side. Because like most of us, Oscar isn't a saint. In fact, he has more problems than most, problems which landed him in jail for a short period. But today Oscar is determined to start over, to bring in the New Year with a fresh perspective. Throughout the day we see him do everything right, and it is clear to the audience that he is more than a random street thug.

We, however, have spent the whole day with him. To others, who have not had that pleasure, they only see what's on the outside. And when and incident on the train home gets the police called. He and his friends are treated as nothing more than what they look like. Criminals.

The events that follow, which are based on a true story, paint a grim portrait of law enforcement in this country. We watch helplessly has the overzealous cops punch, knee, and toss Oscar and his friends about for no reason. As the crowd around the scene gathers the police become more irritated when the spectators taping them on their phones begin to yell at them to stop. And after subduing Oscar on the ground and digging a knee deep into his neck, we see an officer take out his gun and shoot.

Now, to most people, this scenario probably sounds excessive or exaggerated. Or those of you who know it isn't may just chalk this up to an isolated incident. But for me it really hit home. As someone who has seen police use excessive force and use their power to intimidate bystanders it is simply another reminder of the corrupt system that is in place in this country. Living in a country where police protocol is arrest first and ask questions later, it was incredibly frustrating for me to watch that scene. And not only the brutality of it, but the way in which they clearly have no interest in actually finding out what happened. It truly leaves me with a pit in my stomach.

I am going to fight the urge to go on a tirade about cops and rant about my own experiences. I could easily write a book on the matter, and I'm sure nobody wants to hear it. What I will say is that this is a film everybody should see. It raises important questions that every person should be asking. Questions about power and authority and the people we give them to. Questions about the accountability of those who we pay to protect us. If you don't have a reaction to this film you probably don't have a pulse. 8/10.