Fruitvale Station

Cast of Characters:

Oscar Grant III - Michael B. Jordan

Sophina - Melonie Diaz

Officer Caruso - Kevin Durand

Officer Ingram - Chad Michael Murray

Katie - Ahna O'Reilly

Wanda Grant - Octavia Spencer

Director - Ryan Coogler

Screenplay - Ryan Coogler

Rated R for some violence, language throughout and some drug use

      Michael B. Jordan, Melonie Diaz and Academy Award winner Octavia Spencer star in Ryan Coogler's film debut, Fruitvale Station, based on the true story of Oscar Grant III.

      The film opens with cell phone camera footage of 22 year old Oscar Grant III (Michael B. Jordan) being beaten by Bay Area Rapid Transit cops on a subway platform. Eventually a gunshot is heard.

      Prior to this event taking place, we see Oscar going about his day which will ultimately lead to his death. A year before he was serving time for drug related charges. Now he's trying to move on and better his life with his girlfriend Sophina (Melonie Diaz). He's a man worrying about paying rent and making sure he raises his daughter Tatiana the right way. He plans a birthday party for his mother Wanda (Octavia Spencer). He tries to get his job back. Having once sold dope to get by, finding out his position has been filled almost pushes him back to that point. All these events take place during one day which leads to Grant's unfortunate death on a subway platform during a New Year's Eve party with his girlfriend.

      The death of Oscar Grant III shook the Bay Area and the state of California back in 2009. Movies like this that take place not too long after the actual event happened always have to walk a fine line in terms of tastefulness. In the wrong hands we could've gotten a beat you over the head political speech or a sappy Lifetime network melodrama. Writer/director Ryan Coogler, in his film debut, strikes just the right notes here. What we get isn't quite black and white per se. This is a human story, and not just a flawed human story, but one where the main character realizes he's flawed. Oscar's not a saint, and it's not just 'cause of his past. At times he's quick to anger and wears his emotions on his sleeve. There are also moments where he's not quite truthful to his girlfriend. He realizes he's better than that though, so as flawed as he admittedly is, we care about what may or may not happen to him by the time we reach the film's climax. All of this is perfectly captured in a heartfelt and powerful performance from Michael B. Jordan. Some may remember him from TV's Friday Night Lights. He's probably best remembered as Steve Montgomery in the surprise hit Chronicle. Here he gives an Oscar worthy performance that could result in his name being mentioned in the Best Actor category once the nominations are given. It's not a flashy performance by any means, nor should it be. It's a genuine performance meant to show the final hours of Grant's everyday, normal life. There's one scene in particular between Oscar and Tatiana right before he's about to head out for the night with his girlfriend that displays Jordan's performance at its best. It turns out to be the last moment between a father and daughter. The viewer knows what's to come. The father and daughter don't.

      Could we have gotten a bit more story out of the two cops responsible for his death other than the final ten minutes? Sure. Maybe they were having a shitty day? Maybe they have control issues that result in them being complete dickheads? Who knows? We don't know much about their motivations, but this isn't their story, it's Oscar's. Some may find this hard to watch, which is understandable. It's not an easy film to watch, especially knowing what's to come for Oscar, but Coogler handles the emotional story perfectly and the performances by Jordan, Diaz and Spencer are award level. Like Michael B. Jordan, Coogler also has a career filled with potential that I look forward to seeing more of. I give Fruitvale Station an A (★★★★).