Movie Musings: Fruitvale Station

Before I dive into the review, I wanted to share with all of you that this is post number 1,300 for Pop.Bop.Shop. Can you believe it? I can't. Let's think together about how to celebrate hitting 2,000 which can't be too far behind!

Tonight I went with two friends to see "Fruitvale Station" starring Michael B. Jordan. All three of us were huge fans of "Friday Night Lights," where Jordan played troubled quarterback Vince Howard and we were all recently impressed with his turn as Alex on NBC's "Parenthood." Basically, we went to see the movie to support him. If you share our Michael B. Jordan obsession, please enjoy this article from BuzzFeed titled, "Let's all just take a few moments to appreciate Michael B. Jordan."

Let me begin by saying it's been about 90 minutes since I left my seat in the movie theater and I am still feeling very haunted by "Fruitvale Station." The movie is based on the true story of Oscar Grant, a 22 year old black man killed by a white police officer at the Fruitvale Station stop on the BART train on New Years Eve in Oakland, CA.

Jordan plays Oscar in what many critics are calling a career-making role. Those of us who have watched Jordan on "The Wire" and "Friday Night Lights" already knew he was a star, but this fall the rest of the world is going to know too.

Over the course of the short film (1 hour and 25 minutes), we get to know Oscar as a young man with a great family but a short temper. By age 22 he has already served time in prison for dealing drugs and fathered a daughter who is four years old at the time of his death.

Jordan shows Oscar as a young man at a crossroads, wanting to rebuild his life, but having extremely limited resources and a litany of challenges.

Jordan plays opposite two fierce women, actress Melonie Diaz as his girlfriend and the mother of his child and Octavia Spencer who plays his mother. Diaz's character, Sophina, is torn between whipping Oscar into shape and melting when he looks at her in that certain way. Their chemistry was undeniable.

Octavia Spencer, who won an Oscar for her role in "The Help," was equally powerful here as Wanda, a mother who wants to believe in her son, but has the pain of the past governing her decisions. In the film you see Wanda urge Oscar to take the train on New Years Eve instead of driving his car. She was concerned he would drink and drive. At the end of the film when the doctors tell her Oscar didn't make it, she breaks down, reliving the conversation where she told him to take the train. It's one of the most poignant moments in the film.

The scene stealer in the movie is Ariana Neal, the young actress who plays Oscar and Sophina's daughter. She lights up the screen with her beautiful smile and great laugh. In her final two scenes of the movie, your heart absolutely breaks for her.

Aside from the stellar performances, I was also really impressed by the way the film was shot. It had this ability to make you feel constantly anxious. The camera would linger a little too long on certain places, people or things, creating a deep sense of foreboding. It was done subtly, but had a really strong impact.

I was also left feeling like what happened to Oscar could have happened to any one of his friends who was on the train with him that night. The randomness of it all felt so unjust and cruel. I think that's the part that has been sticking with me as I drove home and as I write this.

At the close of the film the screen goes black and then white text appears giving you the real life resolution to the story which is that the police officer that shot Oscar was charged with first degree murder. Ultimately, he was convicted of manslaughter and sentenced to two years in prison, but he only served 11 months. This man served 11 months for intentionally killing an innocent, 22 year old man with a family. It makes your stomach turn.

New York Magazine reviewed the film and said, "It will rock you." I couldn't agree more.

Please see "Fruitvale Station." The performances are incredible and the message is so important.

*All images courtesy of Fruitvale Station

 

Molly Galler

Welcome to Pop.Bop.Shop. My name is Molly. I’m a foodie, fashionista, pop culture addict and serious travel junkie. I’m a lifelong Bostonian obsessed with frozen confections, outdoor patios, Mindy Kaling, reality television, awards shows, tropical vacations, snail mail and my birthday.

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