"We're just trying to get home!"
Fruitvale Station (2013) provided an auspicious debut for Ryan Coogler, who graduated to this fall's Rocky spinoff Creed. Subdued and straightforward, it folds social statement into a cutting character study, buoyed by Michael B. Jordan's winning performance.Fruitvale Station chronicles the last day of Oscar Grant (Michael B. Jordan), killed by Oakland BART police on January 1st, 2009. An ex-criminal with a messy personal life, Oscar tries turning things around. He reconnects with his girlfriend (Melonie Diaz) and daughter (Ariana Neal), tries to regain his grocery job and self-esteem. Then Oscar takes the train back from a New Years party, where a violent encounter destroys everything.
Shot largely in handheld style, Fruitvale Station proves a tragic glimpse at a life cut short. Distrusted by family, friends and coworkers, struggling with a violent temper, Oscar can't hold a job and considers selling pot. But he commits to his redemption. Reconnecting with his family is the first step, and he seems a sweet dad, if a difficult son and boyfriend. There's real poignancy when he chats with another man (Joey Oglesby) who turned his life around, wondering if he can follow suit. Of course, a black ex-convict faces extra hurdles.
Coogler draws on a real incident, which faded from public consciousness quicker than more recent events. Coogler unreservedly blames the BART police, who arrest Oscar and his black friends despite their victimization by a subway thug. The cops' violent swagger, intended to intimidate Oscar, has the opposite effect; the situation quickly escalates into violence. It's an ugly display of racism and brutality; Coogler's restrained presentation says everything. We mourn a promising life terminated as much as the violence that caused it.
Michael B. Jordan wins instant stardom. Oscar has a rough edge but is ultimately likeable, and Jordan's natural, intense performance makes him a vivid character. Octavia Spencer (The Help) provides strong support, her mellow mom keeping the drama level. The film offers minor roles to Melonie Diaz, Ahna O'Reilly, Trestin George and Kevin Durand, who make an impression with fairly thin characters.
Released the weekend George Zimmerman was acquitted for killing Trayvon Martin, Fruitvale Station proved extremely timely. Without overt preaching, it's a poignant reminder that even flawed men's lives matter.
