Written and Directed by Ryan Coogler
Fruitvale Station, which is based on a true story, does not tell the story of an even in the way one would expect. There is a major event that occurs towards the end of the film that was noteworthy, but that is not the true focus of the film. This is a film about a man named Oscar Grant. It follows his life over the course of a very eventful New Years Eve and details who he is and what has led him to his current point in life.
If this seems a bit like a meandering plot that's because it is. It is not a very focused film. Rather, this film functions as a way of introducing you to a character. Some moments in the movie seem rather unnecessary, but they all have an impact. Part of this credit goes to Ryan Coogler's direction, but most of it has to go to Michael B. Jordan's performance. Jordan fully fleshes Oscar Grant out in a way that is rarely seen. It doesn't take long to see who this person is, what his strengths are and what his flaws are, as Jordan knows the character so well and knows how to bring all of these aspects out in a subtle and realistic way.
The rest of the cast is strong, too. Octavia Spencer makes the most of a few scenes as Grant's mom. Her turn is the showiest and most emotional, but Spencer has already shown her strength with that and doesn't disappoint here. The true MVP of the film, aside from Jordan, of course, is Melonie Diaz, playing Grant's girlfriend, Sophina. She too takes what is often a one-note love interest role and fully humanizes her. Sophina is neither a passive sex-object nor a shrill whiner. Instead she is a person who has had her own desires, her own strengths and weaknesses and who behaves realistically in regards to the events unfolding around her.
Perhaps Fruitvale Station is more of an important film than a great one. Like I said, outside of the performances Fruitvale can be a bit meandering and perhaps tries too hard to make its main character undoubtedly likable, but those are small criticisms when a film has as strong an impact on you as Fruitvale Station almost certainly will. I simply was too affected by it to say anything other than that it achieved what it set out to, and that it is a film that many more people should watch, and that should be talked about. A-
If this seems a bit like a meandering plot that's because it is. It is not a very focused film. Rather, this film functions as a way of introducing you to a character. Some moments in the movie seem rather unnecessary, but they all have an impact. Part of this credit goes to Ryan Coogler's direction, but most of it has to go to Michael B. Jordan's performance. Jordan fully fleshes Oscar Grant out in a way that is rarely seen. It doesn't take long to see who this person is, what his strengths are and what his flaws are, as Jordan knows the character so well and knows how to bring all of these aspects out in a subtle and realistic way.
The rest of the cast is strong, too. Octavia Spencer makes the most of a few scenes as Grant's mom. Her turn is the showiest and most emotional, but Spencer has already shown her strength with that and doesn't disappoint here. The true MVP of the film, aside from Jordan, of course, is Melonie Diaz, playing Grant's girlfriend, Sophina. She too takes what is often a one-note love interest role and fully humanizes her. Sophina is neither a passive sex-object nor a shrill whiner. Instead she is a person who has had her own desires, her own strengths and weaknesses and who behaves realistically in regards to the events unfolding around her.
Perhaps Fruitvale Station is more of an important film than a great one. Like I said, outside of the performances Fruitvale can be a bit meandering and perhaps tries too hard to make its main character undoubtedly likable, but those are small criticisms when a film has as strong an impact on you as Fruitvale Station almost certainly will. I simply was too affected by it to say anything other than that it achieved what it set out to, and that it is a film that many more people should watch, and that should be talked about. A-
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