Review of Fruitvale Station (2013) by Bob R — 05 Jan 2014

Fruitvale Station tells the true story of Oscar Grant, who was victim in the BART police shooting incident on New Years Day 2009. The film covers the last 24 hours for Oscar Grant, starting at 12:01 AM on New Years Eve. Oscar has a girlfriend that he loves, and a young daughter that is the world to him. All day he runs errands in preparation of his mom's birthday, while calling up friends to eventually go out and celebrate the pending new year. Oscar and his girlfriend drop off their daughter at a family member's house and say their goodbyes for the night. Oscar promises he'll be back in the morning, as he leaves for the train station. From here, nothing is the same.

Fruitvale Station is such a real, authentic movie that is a great re-telling. Coogler makes the movie feel as 'everyday' as he can. Not only this vibe for the whole movie, but for Oscar Grant as well. The movie doesn't glorify who Oscar was. he's seen through the viewer's eyes as a regular guy just like anyone else. This is one of the best moves Coogler and Michael B. Jordan did in depicting a day in the life of Oscar. He's just a guy in the bay area trying to find a job and some support for his family. All Oscar is thinking about is letting go of his rough past and getting back on his feet. Michael B. Jordan provides a fresh, moving performance as Oscar, completely becoming a guy we can feel for and sympathize. There is awesome chemistry from Jordan and the rest of the cast. Jordan, Diaz, Spencer, and the rest do a great job of crafting what feels like a real family that is nothing but love. They provide Fruitvale Station with huge heart. The film really is an emotional rollercoaster.

Fruitvale Station is so interesting in the way that it can switch back and forth between carefree happiness and complete despair so smoothly. It really does show the ups and downs of life so naturally. It's about life, death, tragedy, and the unfair process in which things happen. It's the kind of movie that can make you smile and think of the simple things, while concluding to knot up your stomach, and putting a lump in your throat.

Fruitvale Station benefits from some fine chemistry and performances, telling a tragic story in a raw, real way. It's a powerful, emotional drama that should really be seen.