230 reviews
Let's hope greater exposure gets this film more intelligent reviews
I don't usually bother writing reviews, but this is a good little film that I feel has been unfairly maligned by a few uninformed reviewers here, so I'll add my two cents:
Fruitvale Station is a solid film, well paced and edited, with a strong lead performance by Michael B. Jordan and some standout work by Octavia Spencer. The sound design is particularly noteworthy. The cinema verite camera-work (No, "M. Brand," the visual style here was a choice; well made student films, even cheap ones, generally look better than this) left me underwhelmed for most of the film (and honestly, the mistimed focus pulls were pretty distracting) but paid off big time in the Fruitvale sequence. There the cinematography, editing, sound design, and score combined to create the most gripping ten minutes of film I've seen in a year. I'd recommend Fruitvale on the strength of this sequence alone.
Ryan Coogler admittedly takes some dramatic license with the story. Some of it (the Katie character) works, some (the bit with the dog) comes off heavy-handed. None of it gave me any reason to question the film's "fidelity" to the facts. The unfettered access to Oscar's family, legal documents from the criminal and civil case (including all the video taken on the scene), and the tacit approval of BART (They were allowed to film on the actual BART platform and in their cars!) gives me no reason to believe this film takes any more narrative license with the facts of the Fruitvale incident than many documentaries would.
The film is not perfect. Some of the performances are subpar, some of the improvised dialogue bumps, and the day-in-the-life conceit, while not ignoring Oscar's spotty past, does paint him in an unrealistically rosy light. But by and large this is a moving, gripping, at times infuriating film that will stick with you after the credits roll. Congratulations to Coogler and his team.
**As for the troll who called this film "socially irresponsible," your opinion and the reasoning behind it are so abhorrent I struggle to imagine any person, no matter how ignorant or loathsome they might be, taking you seriously.
Fruitvale Station is a solid film, well paced and edited, with a strong lead performance by Michael B. Jordan and some standout work by Octavia Spencer. The sound design is particularly noteworthy. The cinema verite camera-work (No, "M. Brand," the visual style here was a choice; well made student films, even cheap ones, generally look better than this) left me underwhelmed for most of the film (and honestly, the mistimed focus pulls were pretty distracting) but paid off big time in the Fruitvale sequence. There the cinematography, editing, sound design, and score combined to create the most gripping ten minutes of film I've seen in a year. I'd recommend Fruitvale on the strength of this sequence alone.
Ryan Coogler admittedly takes some dramatic license with the story. Some of it (the Katie character) works, some (the bit with the dog) comes off heavy-handed. None of it gave me any reason to question the film's "fidelity" to the facts. The unfettered access to Oscar's family, legal documents from the criminal and civil case (including all the video taken on the scene), and the tacit approval of BART (They were allowed to film on the actual BART platform and in their cars!) gives me no reason to believe this film takes any more narrative license with the facts of the Fruitvale incident than many documentaries would.
The film is not perfect. Some of the performances are subpar, some of the improvised dialogue bumps, and the day-in-the-life conceit, while not ignoring Oscar's spotty past, does paint him in an unrealistically rosy light. But by and large this is a moving, gripping, at times infuriating film that will stick with you after the credits roll. Congratulations to Coogler and his team.
**As for the troll who called this film "socially irresponsible," your opinion and the reasoning behind it are so abhorrent I struggle to imagine any person, no matter how ignorant or loathsome they might be, taking you seriously.
- harris1078
- Jun 28, 2013
- Permalink
Based on or Inspired by?
- ferguson-6
- Jul 12, 2013
- Permalink
Tragedy at Fruitvale Station
Passionate and sympathetic portrayal of a complex and struggling young man
Tragic, sympathetic and simple. Fruitvale Station takes us inside the world of the late Oscar Grant
Based on the true story of one of the most heart wrenching instances of police brutality in American history, Fruitvale Station humanizes Oscar Grant, a victim of senseless police violence and racial profiling. This film does not paint him as a saint nor does it paint him as a crook, it shows him as a human being with many flaws. Michael B. Jordan gives an electrifying performance as Oscar Grant. He doesn't miss a single step and delivers a performance that has solidified him as a force to be reckoned with on screen. The film, as a whole, works but not for storytelling. This is a film that has great performances and that keeps it above average on many levels. If there was anyone else playing these roles, especially Jordan, I feel as if the film wouldn't pack as much of a punch. Ryan Coogler directs the hell out of his actors and does a fantastic job keeping pace. Running at just below an hour and a half, the film moves. It doesn't drag, it doesn't lack, it is a beautiful and moving portrayal of a man who was in the wrong place at the wrong time and the decisions that he made to put him at Fruitvale Station on that fateful night.
Overall, this is a film with powerhouse performances that needs to be seen. The 2013 awards season definitely has a contender in Fruitvale Station along with a soon-to-be Oscar nominated Michael B. Jordan.
Overall, this is a film with powerhouse performances that needs to be seen. The 2013 awards season definitely has a contender in Fruitvale Station along with a soon-to-be Oscar nominated Michael B. Jordan.
Well intentioned but overrated
Fruitvale Station begins with a disturbing phone video and ends with an intense recreation of the events surrounding that video, but in between, it's a little dull. The movie's main intent seems to be simply to show that a nice guy can get hit by disaster, so much of the film is just showing you the main character being a nice guy; planning his mom's birthday party (the mom's performance is a standout), talking to his kid. He's not portrayed as a saint - he has a quick temper and a bit of a past - but he's still basically a really nice guy.
This means that about two thirds of Fruitvale Station is a slice of life drama about a nice guy going about his normal day, which is really not that interesting. Most of the power of these scenes relies on that opening video, as you find yourself thinking, this might be the last time he sees her, this might be the last words they say to one another. And the movie does have a nice way of dropping in moments of menace, always signified by an effective low rumbling sound that brings your attention to key moments in a low-key way. But knowing something is coming, the movie seems to feel it doesn't need to make the events leading up to it especially interesting.
Things pick up as the movie heads towards its upsetting recreation of that video. From the time we see the first Bart station, the movie is quite engrossing. Even here though, there are issues, most prominently in a series of absurd coincidences that scream Hollywood set-up in a way unexpected in an indie film.
For a movie about an incident that triggered racial tensions, the film is surprisingly un-race based. That's admirably even-handed, but it may be one reason the film lacks passion; a good guy in the wrong place at the wrong time is not a subject for passion. Yet, the film lacks the sense of philosophic musing that might make the whole doomed nice-guy thing work.
This means that about two thirds of Fruitvale Station is a slice of life drama about a nice guy going about his normal day, which is really not that interesting. Most of the power of these scenes relies on that opening video, as you find yourself thinking, this might be the last time he sees her, this might be the last words they say to one another. And the movie does have a nice way of dropping in moments of menace, always signified by an effective low rumbling sound that brings your attention to key moments in a low-key way. But knowing something is coming, the movie seems to feel it doesn't need to make the events leading up to it especially interesting.
Things pick up as the movie heads towards its upsetting recreation of that video. From the time we see the first Bart station, the movie is quite engrossing. Even here though, there are issues, most prominently in a series of absurd coincidences that scream Hollywood set-up in a way unexpected in an indie film.
For a movie about an incident that triggered racial tensions, the film is surprisingly un-race based. That's admirably even-handed, but it may be one reason the film lacks passion; a good guy in the wrong place at the wrong time is not a subject for passion. Yet, the film lacks the sense of philosophic musing that might make the whole doomed nice-guy thing work.
Saw this at Sundance
I knew nothing about the true story behind this film before I saw it but Ryan Coogler did an impressive job of telling this controversial story. Coogler takes us to the last day in 2008, and introduces us to Oscar Grant's life. A young, troubled father that is trying to do the right thing by his family. This was his debut at Sundance and he didn't disappoint. The audience laughed when the actors laughed and shed tears when the actors shed tears...it was a very moving film. By the end of the film I felt as though I knew these people personally. The whole cast did an excellent job! I'm looking forward to hearing more about Ryan Coogler in the future.
Overall good execution, with plain narrative which lacks statement
Begins as a brilliant character study then has an underwhelming message given what it had the potential for.
- Sergeant_Tibbs
- Aug 2, 2013
- Permalink
Do you call 911 when the killer is a cop?
SPOILER: Fruitvale Station (2013) was written and directed by Ryan Coogler. Michael B. Jordan plays Oscar Grant III, an African-American man who was shot to death in the Fruitvale BART station on January 1st, 2009. The man who killed him was a police officer. The killer was convicted of involuntary manslaughter and served about two years in jail.
The film follows Grant through his last day of life--December 31st, 2008. We watch as Grant interacts with his common-law wife, their young daughter, friends, relatives and strangers. Grant comes across as a basically decent man--flawed, undependable, but clearly in love with his family, his partner. and their little girl.
It's hard to enjoy this film, because it's based on a truly tragic event, and we know how the story will end from the beginning of the movie. Still, Fruitvale Station is definitely worth seeing, because it reminds us that everyone's life is always at risk, but that the risks for young, African-American men are higher.
The movie will work well on DVD. It's definitely worth seeking out and seeing.
The film follows Grant through his last day of life--December 31st, 2008. We watch as Grant interacts with his common-law wife, their young daughter, friends, relatives and strangers. Grant comes across as a basically decent man--flawed, undependable, but clearly in love with his family, his partner. and their little girl.
It's hard to enjoy this film, because it's based on a truly tragic event, and we know how the story will end from the beginning of the movie. Still, Fruitvale Station is definitely worth seeing, because it reminds us that everyone's life is always at risk, but that the risks for young, African-American men are higher.
The movie will work well on DVD. It's definitely worth seeking out and seeing.
-
It's almost a Hitchcockian exercise what Coogler does. Showing the climatic incident from the start, making his audience know exactly how the incident happened, where it's all leading to, leaving us during the entire movie in the expectation of when is it finally going to hit.
The tragedy deepens from the first message he sends until the birthday of his mother, as we see all the memories piled up on the fridge and the director frames the last time Oscar we'll be with his family, closing the second act and leading us to what we know to be the inevitable end.
And during the entire movie, the director leaves what seems to be hints for any explication that might make us understand what happened. The drugs, the blood, his anger. Almost defying us to take those as signs of what we would normally think if taken out of context.
And yet, the randomness of the moment is so much more impactful because there's no reason to it. Despite the fight that spikes it, all we see until then are signs of the redemption Oscar seeks, because of his daughter, and the abrupt end to all of it. "You shot me", the lasting words of a confused man, as we are by the end.
The tragedy deepens from the first message he sends until the birthday of his mother, as we see all the memories piled up on the fridge and the director frames the last time Oscar we'll be with his family, closing the second act and leading us to what we know to be the inevitable end.
And during the entire movie, the director leaves what seems to be hints for any explication that might make us understand what happened. The drugs, the blood, his anger. Almost defying us to take those as signs of what we would normally think if taken out of context.
And yet, the randomness of the moment is so much more impactful because there's no reason to it. Despite the fight that spikes it, all we see until then are signs of the redemption Oscar seeks, because of his daughter, and the abrupt end to all of it. "You shot me", the lasting words of a confused man, as we are by the end.
Jordan's champion performance carries the film!
"Fruitvale Station" is not the feel-good movie of the year. Nevertheless, I think you should stop at this station to witness the impact that this movie throws at you. The film is based on the true story of Oscar Grant, 22-year-old Bay Area resident, who crosses paths with friends, enemies, family, and strangers on the last day of 2008. Grant was accidentally killed by a police officer at the Fruitvale BART station. The officer was part of a group of policemen who held Grant and his friends at the station for fighting with others in a train. This unfortunate event did not get the headlines that the Trayvon Martin case did, but was just as sad because a young life was taken away way too soon. Writer-Director Ryan Coogler orchestrates "Fruitvale Station" primarily on Grant's last day with his family, girlfriend, and friends; instead of just simply taking the "plight for justice" road. Consequently, that gives the movie more depth and authenticity. Coogler's scribe of the picture was not as impressive as his direction but still gets the word out on doing what is right not just for one's own sake but for their loves ones; and of course, he also disseminates the message on the unjustified death of Grant. Michael B. Jordan's starring performance as Grant was a slam dunk; and let me tell you it was no lay-up due to the nature of the complex character he had to portray. Jordan completely disappeared into the role. There were also some impressive supporting turns from Oscar-winner Ocatavia Spencer as Grant's mother Wanda, and Melonie Diaz as his girlfriend Sophina. "Fruitvale Station" does get overdramatic at times, but it does have justifiable reason to do it. So you might want to take a hanky, but I think this movie is one that should be on your track to witness. ***** Excellent
Hold on and brass yourself, we're now arriving at Fruitvale Station. A controversial movie.
- ironhorse_iv
- Aug 11, 2013
- Permalink
Maybe A Short Film Would Have Sufficed
A Movie About Race That Manages Not to Preach
An accomplished film from young writer/director Ryan Coogler detailing the events that led up to the murder of Oscar Grant, a 20-something black man, by San Francisco police on New Year's Eve.
Most of the film is a day-in-the-life study of Oscar, a young man who's trying to get straight in an environment that doesn't make it easy. He's recently spent time in jail when the movie opens, and he's lied to his girlfriend (with whom he shares a young daughter) about getting fired from his job. The lure of petty drug hustling is strong, but he's fighting the temptation, and he's got a mom (Octavia Spencer) who checks in occasionally to remind him how disappointed she'll be if he falls back on crime. The film avoids making any kind of hero out of Oscar -- he's a decent guy who's fighting the odds in not terrible but not great circumstances, and though his murder could easily have become a symbol of white oppression (which in real life it did), the movie doesn't force that idea down its audience's throats.
One of the things I liked best about "Fruitvale Station" was how honest it was about its portrayal of white/black relations. White people don't play much of a role at all in these black people's lives -- the cop who murders Oscar is white, but the film shows other interactions with random white people that are perfectly normal and kind. The movie isn't concerned with preaching about how whites and blacks should get along -- instead it acknowledges that whites and blacks exist in very different cultures and explores the worst case scenario of how tragic the outcome can be when one doesn't make the slightest effort at accepting the humanity of the other.
Grade: A-
Most of the film is a day-in-the-life study of Oscar, a young man who's trying to get straight in an environment that doesn't make it easy. He's recently spent time in jail when the movie opens, and he's lied to his girlfriend (with whom he shares a young daughter) about getting fired from his job. The lure of petty drug hustling is strong, but he's fighting the temptation, and he's got a mom (Octavia Spencer) who checks in occasionally to remind him how disappointed she'll be if he falls back on crime. The film avoids making any kind of hero out of Oscar -- he's a decent guy who's fighting the odds in not terrible but not great circumstances, and though his murder could easily have become a symbol of white oppression (which in real life it did), the movie doesn't force that idea down its audience's throats.
One of the things I liked best about "Fruitvale Station" was how honest it was about its portrayal of white/black relations. White people don't play much of a role at all in these black people's lives -- the cop who murders Oscar is white, but the film shows other interactions with random white people that are perfectly normal and kind. The movie isn't concerned with preaching about how whites and blacks should get along -- instead it acknowledges that whites and blacks exist in very different cultures and explores the worst case scenario of how tragic the outcome can be when one doesn't make the slightest effort at accepting the humanity of the other.
Grade: A-
- evanston_dad
- Apr 19, 2014
- Permalink
The 2013 Sundance Winner is worth checking out
"I'm good, I'm good, I'm gonna be good."
Fruitvale Station is one of those small independent films that found a connection with audiences and critics alike ever since it was released early last year in the Sundance Film Festival winning both the Audience Award and the Grand Jury Prize. Nearly an year has passed until I finally was able to watch this captivating and tragic film based on the last day of Oscar Grant's life. This is Ryan Coogler's debut film, and he should have no trouble financing his upcoming projects after the breakthrough with Fruitvale Station which he also happened to write. It's a passionate and powerful film that benefits from a stellar performance by Michael B. Jordan (Chronicle and Friday Night Lights). He is the driving force of this film and the reason why the final 15 minutes hit our emotional chords so hard. The injustice he suffers from police brutality makes our blood boil and ultimately Coogler achieves the effect he was looking for. Since the film is based on a true story and we already know the tragic outcome, I thought it would take away much of the dramatic effect, but I was mistaken because Ryan Coogler uses this knowledge to build the story and make us care for the main protagonist. It makes us question the what ifs and what would've happened if he decided to listen to his daughter and stay home, or travel by car instead of train. It is those small moments that connect with the audience and make us route for him despite the impending doom. It is a well crafted social critique about an important issue that hits home.
Oscar Grant (Micheal B. Jordan) wakes up on the last day of 2008 convinced he's going to turn his life around, making this his New Year's resolution. Trying to get his girlfriend Sophina (Melonie Diaz) -who also happens to be the mother of his four year old daughter, Tatiana (Ariana Neal)- to forgive him for a past infidelity and forming a family is his first priority. Next he tries to get his recently lost job back at a local store, but that proves to be impossible. He has promised his mother, Wanda (Octavia Spencer), that he will never return to prison so selling drugs is no longer a means to make a living. Despite the difficulties he's facing he's still focused on turning his life around while trying to support his family. So the film continues to follow Oscar as he interacts with the people that cross his path on that last day of the year until the inevitable tragic event that will take place in the train station later that night.
I agree with some of the criticism that this film has received for foreshadowing the tragic event throughout the course of the day and trying to put a halo on him by focusing on how he was going to turn his life around. The scene with the dog is one classic example of that and yes it is manipulative and tries a little too hard to win over our sympathies. A mistake that a newcomer like Ryan Coogler can correct as he continues to grow as a promising film maker. Perhaps that is the weakest part of the film, but I can see how a person like him would want to turn his life around considering it was the last day of the year and we usually do make many resolutions during this time. I also agree with the fact that there is probably nothing true about the events that took place during that day other than the tragic outcome at the station which was recreated very well considering the authentic footage I've seen from the incident. But I do have to defend Coogler here because in a way I think we all tend to put a halo on the people we love once they are gone remembering the good things about them and not so much on the negative aspects. However there are moments where we get to see glimpses of the dark side in Jordan's performance which actually enhances the film, like when he confronts the manager. There is a perfect balance in that scene between him trying to help out a girl at the store and then threatening his former boss. Those small moments show the brilliance in Jordan's performance and Coogler's direction. Add that to the emotionally engaging final 15 minutes of the film and you will have a hard time arguing your case against this film.
Fruitvale Station is one of those small independent films that found a connection with audiences and critics alike ever since it was released early last year in the Sundance Film Festival winning both the Audience Award and the Grand Jury Prize. Nearly an year has passed until I finally was able to watch this captivating and tragic film based on the last day of Oscar Grant's life. This is Ryan Coogler's debut film, and he should have no trouble financing his upcoming projects after the breakthrough with Fruitvale Station which he also happened to write. It's a passionate and powerful film that benefits from a stellar performance by Michael B. Jordan (Chronicle and Friday Night Lights). He is the driving force of this film and the reason why the final 15 minutes hit our emotional chords so hard. The injustice he suffers from police brutality makes our blood boil and ultimately Coogler achieves the effect he was looking for. Since the film is based on a true story and we already know the tragic outcome, I thought it would take away much of the dramatic effect, but I was mistaken because Ryan Coogler uses this knowledge to build the story and make us care for the main protagonist. It makes us question the what ifs and what would've happened if he decided to listen to his daughter and stay home, or travel by car instead of train. It is those small moments that connect with the audience and make us route for him despite the impending doom. It is a well crafted social critique about an important issue that hits home.
Oscar Grant (Micheal B. Jordan) wakes up on the last day of 2008 convinced he's going to turn his life around, making this his New Year's resolution. Trying to get his girlfriend Sophina (Melonie Diaz) -who also happens to be the mother of his four year old daughter, Tatiana (Ariana Neal)- to forgive him for a past infidelity and forming a family is his first priority. Next he tries to get his recently lost job back at a local store, but that proves to be impossible. He has promised his mother, Wanda (Octavia Spencer), that he will never return to prison so selling drugs is no longer a means to make a living. Despite the difficulties he's facing he's still focused on turning his life around while trying to support his family. So the film continues to follow Oscar as he interacts with the people that cross his path on that last day of the year until the inevitable tragic event that will take place in the train station later that night.
I agree with some of the criticism that this film has received for foreshadowing the tragic event throughout the course of the day and trying to put a halo on him by focusing on how he was going to turn his life around. The scene with the dog is one classic example of that and yes it is manipulative and tries a little too hard to win over our sympathies. A mistake that a newcomer like Ryan Coogler can correct as he continues to grow as a promising film maker. Perhaps that is the weakest part of the film, but I can see how a person like him would want to turn his life around considering it was the last day of the year and we usually do make many resolutions during this time. I also agree with the fact that there is probably nothing true about the events that took place during that day other than the tragic outcome at the station which was recreated very well considering the authentic footage I've seen from the incident. But I do have to defend Coogler here because in a way I think we all tend to put a halo on the people we love once they are gone remembering the good things about them and not so much on the negative aspects. However there are moments where we get to see glimpses of the dark side in Jordan's performance which actually enhances the film, like when he confronts the manager. There is a perfect balance in that scene between him trying to help out a girl at the store and then threatening his former boss. Those small moments show the brilliance in Jordan's performance and Coogler's direction. Add that to the emotionally engaging final 15 minutes of the film and you will have a hard time arguing your case against this film.
- estebangonzalez10
- Jan 6, 2014
- Permalink
Very Good Look at a Head Scratching Event
Fruitvale Station (2013)
*** 1/2 (out of 4)
Exceptionally good drama from writer-director Ryan Coogler about Oscar Grant (Michael B. Jordan) and the various encounters his has with those around him. This fact-based drama gained major media attention when Grant was shot in the back by a police officer and this film really tries to be as real as possible in regards to its actual visual look. I'm not going to sit here and say this is a documentary because no film with a script and acting should be called a real document of any event. I'm sure things have been changed and altered for a dramatic effect so obviously one shouldn't come here expecting a documentary. With that said, there's no question that this is an exceptionally well-made movie and one that features some very good performances. I think the strongest thing that the film has going for it is the realistic style that Coogler creates. It's also as if we're really there on Grant's final day as a camera just follows him around from one location to the next. I thought this really helped create an environment that the viewer could connect with no matter what their race was. I think the film also does a good job showing where this 22-year-old man was in his life when all of this was going down and I'm sure many people won't approve of some of his choices but there's no question that the end result is something that's not only shocking but will leave you scratching your head as to why it happened. I think most people are going to know the story already but that really doesn't take away from the drama created by Coogler. In fact, we're shown what happens as the movie starts so we know how everything ends. Jordan turns in a terrific performance in the lead and I really like how he never tries to make Grant some sort of superhero or anything that he wasn't. I appreciate how the performance is just raw, on target and shows a human being struggling with life. The supporting performances are all good with Octavia Spencer and Melonie Diaz standing out. FRUITVALE STATION is depressing from the opening scene all the way through the opening credits so one shouldn't come here expecting something cheerful but it's certainly hard hitting.
*** 1/2 (out of 4)
Exceptionally good drama from writer-director Ryan Coogler about Oscar Grant (Michael B. Jordan) and the various encounters his has with those around him. This fact-based drama gained major media attention when Grant was shot in the back by a police officer and this film really tries to be as real as possible in regards to its actual visual look. I'm not going to sit here and say this is a documentary because no film with a script and acting should be called a real document of any event. I'm sure things have been changed and altered for a dramatic effect so obviously one shouldn't come here expecting a documentary. With that said, there's no question that this is an exceptionally well-made movie and one that features some very good performances. I think the strongest thing that the film has going for it is the realistic style that Coogler creates. It's also as if we're really there on Grant's final day as a camera just follows him around from one location to the next. I thought this really helped create an environment that the viewer could connect with no matter what their race was. I think the film also does a good job showing where this 22-year-old man was in his life when all of this was going down and I'm sure many people won't approve of some of his choices but there's no question that the end result is something that's not only shocking but will leave you scratching your head as to why it happened. I think most people are going to know the story already but that really doesn't take away from the drama created by Coogler. In fact, we're shown what happens as the movie starts so we know how everything ends. Jordan turns in a terrific performance in the lead and I really like how he never tries to make Grant some sort of superhero or anything that he wasn't. I appreciate how the performance is just raw, on target and shows a human being struggling with life. The supporting performances are all good with Octavia Spencer and Melonie Diaz standing out. FRUITVALE STATION is depressing from the opening scene all the way through the opening credits so one shouldn't come here expecting something cheerful but it's certainly hard hitting.
- Michael_Elliott
- Jul 25, 2013
- Permalink
This movie is trying to make me cry
- themissingpatient
- Jan 16, 2014
- Permalink
Oscar Grant 1987-2009
- bkoganbing
- Sep 7, 2013
- Permalink
Promising Debut from Ryan Coogler
Fruitvale Station is the debut feature-length film from 27 year old Ryan Coogler.
In the early hours of New Year's Day 2009 a young black man, Oscar Grant III, was shot in the back by a white police officer, Johannes Mehserle , when allegedly resisting arrest; this followed an altercation on a train which was then at Fruitvale Station in Oakland California. Johannes Mehserle was consequently sentenced for involuntary manslaughter serving 11 months in prison. (Mehserle's name was changed for the film.)
Fruitvale Station starts with grainy images of Grant being shot and tells the back story leading up to events solely from Grant's perspective.
The film is not a hagiography, it depicts Oscar Grant III as deeply flawed. Grant had a criminal record; had served prison time for drug dealing; had a quick and fierce temper; had lost his job for repeated poor attendance and had strayed from his long-term girlfriend, the mother of his young daughter. Even so, it was difficult not to be drawn to the conclusion that Coogler was trying to gloss over these traits by showing Grant had just started trying to turn his life around. The film showed his tender side – his love of dogs, his overall respect for women. It seemed just a touch contrived and was clearly inserted to ensure the audience was sympathetic to the victim. It was unnecessary – Grant's death was tragic, and deemed unlawful, whatever his background.
What was far more convincing, due to its understatement, was its showing of the near inevitably of violence due to over-testosteroned macho posturing. This contrasted with the strong women in the film – his long-suffering girlfriend and his mother whose love of her son was not blind to his faults and his failings which impacted cruelly upon others.
Ryan Coogler, under the tutelage of Forest Whitaker, has made a promising start with this feature, even though he has been infected with wobbly camera syndrome – something I hope he'll soon jettison. But he has created interesting characters with street dialogue that flowed naturally. Under his direction, both Michael B. Jordan as the doomed Grant and Octavia Spencer as his mother gave nuanced and stand out performances in a cast without any apparent weakness.
But ultimately, there was simply not enough story to maintain the 85 minutes of this film – Grant's life was not interesting or controversial enough to fill the space. How much better the film could have been had Coogler given us Johannes Mehserle's story as well. All we saw of Mehserle and his colleagues was their uniformed aggression in the few minutes leading up to the shooting – there was no attempt to humanise them. I understand Mehserle's girlfriend gave birth the day after the shooting. Showing how events blighted other lives too would have given Fruitvale Station greater depth without in anyway diminishing its clear objective to highlight the on-going social problem of young negroes getting a raw and prejudicial deal from the law.
But Ryan Coogler has shown enough in this film to demonstrate that he has the ability to become an accomplished film-maker. Let's hope he takes the opportunity.
In the early hours of New Year's Day 2009 a young black man, Oscar Grant III, was shot in the back by a white police officer, Johannes Mehserle , when allegedly resisting arrest; this followed an altercation on a train which was then at Fruitvale Station in Oakland California. Johannes Mehserle was consequently sentenced for involuntary manslaughter serving 11 months in prison. (Mehserle's name was changed for the film.)
Fruitvale Station starts with grainy images of Grant being shot and tells the back story leading up to events solely from Grant's perspective.
The film is not a hagiography, it depicts Oscar Grant III as deeply flawed. Grant had a criminal record; had served prison time for drug dealing; had a quick and fierce temper; had lost his job for repeated poor attendance and had strayed from his long-term girlfriend, the mother of his young daughter. Even so, it was difficult not to be drawn to the conclusion that Coogler was trying to gloss over these traits by showing Grant had just started trying to turn his life around. The film showed his tender side – his love of dogs, his overall respect for women. It seemed just a touch contrived and was clearly inserted to ensure the audience was sympathetic to the victim. It was unnecessary – Grant's death was tragic, and deemed unlawful, whatever his background.
What was far more convincing, due to its understatement, was its showing of the near inevitably of violence due to over-testosteroned macho posturing. This contrasted with the strong women in the film – his long-suffering girlfriend and his mother whose love of her son was not blind to his faults and his failings which impacted cruelly upon others.
Ryan Coogler, under the tutelage of Forest Whitaker, has made a promising start with this feature, even though he has been infected with wobbly camera syndrome – something I hope he'll soon jettison. But he has created interesting characters with street dialogue that flowed naturally. Under his direction, both Michael B. Jordan as the doomed Grant and Octavia Spencer as his mother gave nuanced and stand out performances in a cast without any apparent weakness.
But ultimately, there was simply not enough story to maintain the 85 minutes of this film – Grant's life was not interesting or controversial enough to fill the space. How much better the film could have been had Coogler given us Johannes Mehserle's story as well. All we saw of Mehserle and his colleagues was their uniformed aggression in the few minutes leading up to the shooting – there was no attempt to humanise them. I understand Mehserle's girlfriend gave birth the day after the shooting. Showing how events blighted other lives too would have given Fruitvale Station greater depth without in anyway diminishing its clear objective to highlight the on-going social problem of young negroes getting a raw and prejudicial deal from the law.
But Ryan Coogler has shown enough in this film to demonstrate that he has the ability to become an accomplished film-maker. Let's hope he takes the opportunity.
An indie gem to seek out to see; Michael B. Jordan is riveting.
- george.schmidt
- Jul 26, 2013
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Can't we all get along?
- copyright908
- Aug 4, 2013
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A film worth seeing!
I woke up this morning with tears in my eyes and thinking about Oscar. I thought about all the Oscars I have seen or known.I pray for all the young black men I know especially my two teenaged black grandsons--- Please, Lord protect them as they move in these desperate times. Please protect them and have them to know you. I have never been to a theater where after the feature, everyone emerged from the theater in dead silence, some crying, others with sad faces-some with the look of horror, not even talking about the movie. until they got to their cars. It was a powerful. gripping retelling. I thought the performances by Michael and Olivia were worthy of some kind of awards whether they are nominated or not. Movies with these kinds of gripping reality never get nominated--They always pick some kind of English romance,, or French novel! I'm just wondering whether this film will be released in Chicago and New York. Anyway, I want to congratulate the writers and producers.
Where's the Story?
- sniperx360
- Dec 24, 2013
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Should have been a short
Fruitvale Station, in an ultra minimalistic approach and a slowness almost caricatural of the « indie » scene, tries to humanize this tragedy by depicting the victim in his best light, but this process is too simplistic, too obvious, and no real sympathy arouses for Oscar.
Granted, the ouctome itself is tragic but everything that is related before, those contemplative day-to-day life scenes, has no direct connection with it and 90% of the script therefore turn out to be almost pointless, and though the film lasts only 1h25, it seems long.
Fruitvale Station probably would have been more relevant as a short feature since there wasn't much material for more.
Granted, the ouctome itself is tragic but everything that is related before, those contemplative day-to-day life scenes, has no direct connection with it and 90% of the script therefore turn out to be almost pointless, and though the film lasts only 1h25, it seems long.
Fruitvale Station probably would have been more relevant as a short feature since there wasn't much material for more.
- christophe92300
- Jan 18, 2014
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