The Life of Oscar Grant III

Fruitvale Station Dir. Ryan Coogler

Michael B. Jordan (Oscar), Melonie Diaz (Sophina), Octavia Spencer (Wanda), Arianna

Ariana Neal (Tatiana)

The Weinstein Company, 2013.

Ryan Coogler’s 2013 film Fruitvale Station sheds light on the 2009 shooting death of Oscar Grant III. Oscar was shot by a transit police officer who stated in his testimony “I thought I grabbed my taser”. Although Oscar was part of a group of guys who were being insubordinate with the police, the officer had no right to pull the trigger. It was a senseless and cowardly act. Neither Oscar, nor were any of his friends armed. The fact that the officer testified and said it was an “accident” is beyond me. From the perspective of an aspiring law enforcement/government official, this movie shows why only trained or experience police/transit police officers should carry firearms.
That is not all this movie was about. Ryan Coogler is an outstanding director; one of his most famous films: Creed. Michael B. Jordan was also the star in that movie. He grew up in and out of detention centers, turned his life around, and made it big as a boxer. He ultimately defeated the champion of the world: Ricky “Pretty Ricky” Conlan. Had Oscar not been shot by the police I feel like he would have made a name for himself– like Adonis Creed. Oscar grew up in and out of detention centers, but he was willing to stop the “street life” and make the right decisions. In all of Coogler’s films he does a great job of foreshadowing. He was an avid drug dealer until one day that changed. He was schedule to meet an oriental man for a deal along the water, but when he got there he sat along the water and reflected on the times he was in prison. He noticed that if he got caught with drugs again he would go back, and he did not want to. He dumped out all of his paraphernalia into the ocean. Bear in mind, this was his main way in regards to providing for his family.
In Creed Adonis’s girlfriend (Bianca) played a key role in his life. In this film Oscar’s girlfriend/ “baby momma” Sophina played a key role as well. Oscar was known to get around with girls; he would flirt with numerous ones on occasions. At the end of the day, Sophina had his heart. He had a daughter (Tatiana) with her. His family was his world, and that is why he wanted to do everything he can do in order to get back on the right track. He loved his mother (Wanda) very much as well. Wanda was always looking out for him; in fact, she thought by him taking the train to New Year’s festivities would be the safe plan. She never would of expected the clear unexpected.
I was a fan of this movie. I thought that Ryan Coogler did a tremendous job in regards to telling the horrifying story of the shooting death of Oscar Grant III. It was very realistic, and life like. I have turned into a huge Ryan Coogler fan. I cannot wait to see Creed II this November.