Review of Fruitvale Station (2013) by Colin P — 17 Jan 2014

Fruitvale Station - drama film, co-produced by Forest Whitaker - it was written and directed by Ryan Coogler (his first feature-length film). Starring Michael B. Jordan, Octavia Diaz (The Help). It was debuted at Sundance Film Festival, it earned the prestigious Grand Jury Prize (there) - it also received Best First Film at Cannes Film Festival.

Film tells the true story of Oscar Grant (played by Michael B. Jordan) an African-American young married man, with a young daughter. He was shot to death by BART police officer (Johannes Mehserle) at Fruitvale Station.

Fruitvale Station depicts the events that occurred on the 2009 New Year eve. According to Ryan the director of the film; he was keen on to showing the proper way of life that Oscar lived, just to make his audience realize the importance of family-guy with a daughter and relatives; who cared about him. The movie is stacked with solid performance, and what to speak of direction; simple story and yet brilliant direction. Fruitvale Station was snubbed by Academy, recently, receiving no nomination at all.

Circumstances surrounding the events in which the police officer shot Oscar, are more understandable. Someone who has served prison and encountered harsh police behavior, knows exactly how to remaining calm under such situation serve their own purpose. He had his friends and relatives who could have got him released next day or next week. Ryan played smartly with story by showing earlier aggressive nature of Oscar, which often elevated his tempo.