Fruitvale Station
By: Cameron Smith
Directed by: Ryan Coogler
Starring: Michael B. Jordan, Octavia Spencer, Melonie Diaz, Ariana Neal, Kevin Durand.
As Ryan Coogler's debut, I must say this was one hell of a film! Regardless of it's flaws, the real-life account of January 1st, 2009 is emotionally intense, tragic, and very well put together. The flawless performance by Michael B. Jordan helps us, the audience, see Oscar Grant (Michael B. Jordan) as more than just a victim of our society; it shows him as a compassionate, loving, hard-working, and well-meaning father who did everything he could to support his loved ones and make the most out of life. For all the intense and sad moments in this film, there are also heartfelt and comedic moments which provide a good balance between bitter and sweet.
Furthermore, what we see in this film is a man who is aware of his mistakes and wants to undo them through self-improvement. This might be the saddest part of this story -- that he wanted desperately to make a change in his life for himself and his loved ones alike, yet died because of a man who apparently decipher between a gun and a taser. I will suffice to say that I hope there are more people out there with Oscar's spirit and selfless personality, and that our society will eventually learn to recognize them.
In conclusion, this film is not just a retelling of the events on 1/1/2009; it is a retelling of a man with a big heart, beautiful soul, and willing to help those he loves by any means necessary. Likewise, the film also points out our society's inability to have sympathy for those like Oscar Grant (as aforementioned). In the climax, Grant exclaims that he has a child, which tells me that he was not mouthing off to police officers on purpose, but rather trying desperately to return home to his girlfriend Sophina (Melonie Diaz), daughter Tatiana (Ariana Neal), and mother Wanda (Octavia Spencer).
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