Fruitvale Station – Review by Frances Winston

Directed by: Ryan Coogler

Starring: Michael B. Jordan, Melonie Diaz, Octavia Spencer, Chad Michael Murray, Kevin Durrand

The question of what would you do if you knew it was your last day alive is often bandied about. However, the reality is that we never know when that last day is so the majority of people are simply going about their everyday business. Oscar Grant was no different on New Year’s Eve 2008 as he went about his life. He dropped his daughter to daycare, tried to get his old job back having been fired and helped his mother celebrate her birthday before taking the BART train to San Francisco to enjoy the New Year’s Eve festivities. Unfortunately that was to be his last ever New Year’s Eve as in the early hours of January 1st 2009 he was shot and mortally wounded by BART police after an altercation on the return train. All of this would be dramatic enough but when you add the fact that it’s a true story it becomes all the more poignant.

Oscar’s story made headlines around the world since bystanders filmed the incident and spread it online so it was only a matter of time before someone made it into a movie. First time filmmaker Coogler has assembled a fine cast for his ambitious debut, including Oscar winner Octavia Spencer as Oscar’s mother. However this is Michael B Jordan’s film and he ensures that Oscar is a fully rounded character and brings a gentleness to him despite his troubled background and personal issues.

There are some pacing issues here. Other than a flashback sequence to Oscar’s time in prison the whole thing is set over one day and at times it does drag. Also, Coogler spends a long time trying to ensure we warm to Oscar meaning that his actual death scenes feel somewhat rushed. Despite this it is impossible not to be horrified by the way he was simply cut down in his prime. Coogler has utilised some real mobile phone footage from the night and also poignantly adds in footage of a real protest for justice for the young man at the end of the film. All of this only adds to the reality of the film and it is impossible not to feel for Oscar and his family.

This has already grossed its $900,000 budget back many times over and definitely strikes a chord with a viewer. With a larger budget perhaps the pacing issues could have been resolved but this is still a compelling watch that will leave you questioning your own mortality and looking at how you spend your days.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ceVVVils8z4