Fruitvale Station
by Sean Hill
This film could not have been a released at a better time. Unless you have been living under a rock for the past week or so the issue of social injustice has been the front-page story. Released in a few major cities on July 12th, the day before the Zimmerman verdict, FRUITVALE STATION tells the story of a young black man whose life is cut short by a single bullet under questionable circumstances.
The film tells the story of the Oscar Grant (Michael B Jordan) who was fatally shot on New Year’s Day 2009 while trying to make it home after a night out with his friends and his girlfriend. But the film is not about how he died but more about how he lived on the last day of his life. We are shown cell phone footage of the shooting which can be seen here http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WUs_6yTcLW4. This is the actual footage used in the movie. It is not graphic but watch at your own discretion. The story begins in the morning and goes about showing what was probably a normal mundane day for Oscar. He starts his day by dropping his daughter, Tatiana, off at daycare, taking his girlfriend Sophina, to work, and calling his mom, Wanda, (Octavia Spencer) to wish her a happy birthday and make plans for her party taking place later on in the evening. While shopping at the grocery store where had previously worked he befriends a young white woman, Katie, who is shopping for fish for fish fry but doesn’t know what type of fish she should fry. Oscar does something quite unexpected here. He calls his grandmother to get her advice on what type of fish she should get. It is an unusual yet kind gesture for him to do but it underscores what kind of guy he is. He seems to have several female influences in his life, and he treats them all well and he seems to do the same. Although Sophina accuses him of cheating, we never see him with any other woman. Unlike most male characters in these types of films there does not appear to be a misogynistic bone in his body. He clearly loves the women in his life. Not to say that Oscar is a saint, we learn thru a flashback that Oscar has spent time in jail for an unknown charge and despite telling everyone that he has been going to work he has been spending his time being a part-time drug dealer. The flashback gives us the most insight into Oscar. While Wanda is visiting him in jail Oscar has an obvious bruise on his face but when his mom inquires about it he changes the subject. After she tells she is no longer going to visit him there, he lashes out on her claiming he does not love him. Wanda goes to leave and he wants a hug but she refuses and walks out while the guards are trying to restrain him. He needs that hug but she chooses tough love instead. It is one of the best scenes in the film.
The movie benefits from the documentary style first time director Ryan Coogler utilizes for the film. Shot mostly with hand-held camera Coogler is able to put you right into the action. I applaud Coogler for taking us inside the operating room to see the aftermath of the bullet on his body and it adds to the documentary style of the film. Oscar is in virtually every scene and spends sometime alone as well so by the time the tragic events occur, we feel that we know Oscar inside and out although the film takes place in just one day. Much has been said about the performance of Michael B. Jordan in this film and although I think he gives a good performance it is not a great performance. That is to say that the roll is just not that kind of roll. It’s not showy in anyway and he gives a good naturalistic performance. He brings some humanity to this complicated character. In my opinion the standout performance in this film is Octavia Spencer. She is really good here and gives the film some emotional weight during the scenes at the hospital awaiting news of Oscar’s condition. It would not surprise me one bit if she receives another supporting actress nomination.
FRUITVALE STATION is a powerful film, and I hope people so it. Now more than ever this is an important topic and no matter what side you fall on regarding the Zimmerman verdict this film will make you think. The film does not take sides either way on the shooting and the aftermath but simply shows what happened based on all of the cell phone footage that was available. The last thirty minutes of this film is the most spellbinding I have seen in a long time. The fact that we know the outcome of the film from the onset makes every word and every move Oscar makes that more heartbreaking. There were many tears at the screening I attended so I would advise taking the tissues. For those that are looking for quality films made by people of color, look no further. This film should be supported and I hope word of mouth spreads because not only is this a film deserves to be seen but hopefully can open a productive dialogue as well. This film will stay with one once you leave the theater and the last line of the film still rings in my ears and brings tears to my eyes. Needless to say FRUITVALE STATION is one of the best films of the year.
