Review of Fruitvale Station (2013) by Turner E — 21 Feb 2014

This year was a very tough year for even good films to get nominated for anything. Just like in 2012, there were a ton of really good films that I was glad to see. What didn't help this film was the fact that it was released in the late summer,and practically all the Oscar nominated films came out in the last two months of the year, when the voters have them most in their minds. Its a shame, because while I don't love this film as much as many people do, I can definitely say this is one of the best acted films of the year.

On New Years day 2009, Oscar Grant was out partying with his friends, traveling on the Fruitvale train station. Grant was former drug dealer who served time in prison. But he desperately tried to get his life back on track and find a job to support his girlfriend and his 5 year old daughter. That night, he gets caught in the confrontation, and a trigger happy police officer accidentally shots him in the back. He died a few hours later in the hospital. It was real and tragic event that this film did a good job portraying.

The two key performances in this film. The first of which is Michael B. Jordan as Grant . I've known since I first saw him on Friday Night Lights, but this film proves the fact that he is a gem. I don't wanna say that he's the best young black actor, because that title is far too narrow and frankly offensive to me. He's not one of the best black actors in Hollywood, because his race has nothing to do with his talents. He is one of the best young actors in Hollywood and there is nothing separating him from any of the other great talents in acting. He gives the role what it desperately needs: a heart. You seem as a well meaning, charming, and funny young man caught in a bad situation that he wants to improve. But the film doesn't shy away from his flaws. He's cocky, neglectful, and far from a completely upstanding citizen, even if he is trying to do the right thing. Not many actors can balance these two personalities, but he really does shine in the role.

The second great performance is Octavia Spencer as Oscar's mother. I was not a big fan of the Help that came out two years ago, but I won't deny that she was a bright spot in that film. And she is great here two. She's very tough and very no B.S. kind of person, but like her son, she has a kind and caring side to her that comes out when the moment is right.

The best scene in the film is the one between the two of them. It is a brief flashback to her last visit with him in jail. She starts off loving and supportive, but than she realizes that she has to be tough on him and tell him to get his life on track, not just for him but for his kid. She tells it it will be the last time she comes to see him. He breaks down a tries desperately to just get a hug from her while she walks away alone. That is by far the best scene in the film.

But the film isn't perfect. While it does have an honest feel to it, there are one too many moments that are meant to manipulate the audiences emotions. Like the throwing away of the weed, or the helping of the dying dog. These seem just a little too forced especially how genuine many of the simpler moments feel. But thankfully the film is under 2 hours long, so it goes by fast enough that it doesn't hurt it too much. Thankfully though, this is one of the better films to come out this year, and one that should not be forgotten.

***1/2 (out of 4).