Review of Fruitvale Station (2013) by Stephen F — 13 Jun 2014

A movie that resonates with pure emotion that sticks with you long after the movie has finished. Even though you know what happens from watching the first scene, when the climax unfolds at Fruitvale Station you still can't believe it's happening.

You wish there could be someway to change it; I wanted the first scene to be a nightmare, a false pretense almost, that wasn't going to come true. Despite it's run time of just over 80 minutes, this movie paints the portrait of a man trying to change his life around beautifully.

Oscar is a simple man living what some deem to be an average life, but Coogler portrays him in such a light it is hard not to love him by the end even though he really is quite average. Octavia Spencer commands the screen like Pirlo commanding the soccer pitch whenever she is featured, but overall the film leaves you reflecting on your own life in ways you never thought possible.

You think about what you can change, the people you love, but most importantly, how lucky we are to live such beautiful, fruitful lives. Because to have a fulfilling life, it really doesn't take much.

When I was leaving the movie theater, I've never experienced such a silent moment. Nobody said a word. I didn't talk to my friend until we were in the car driving home. Why? Because it's hard to find words after watching what Fruitvale Station has to offer.