Coogler begins the movie with the actual video of the shooting. The film then rewinds about a day before. Coogler chose to showcase the last day of Grant’s life. From the beginning the audience is enraptured by the events that would enfold. Oscar Grant, played by the impeccable Michael B. Jordan, is a flawed man. He is a man with a checkered past who is struggling to make a “fresh start” for his family. Oscar has a young daughter, Tatiana, with his girlfriend, Sophina (Melanie Diaz). Octavia Spencer plays his mother.
The film is not a social commentary of race relations in America. It is simply a film that shows the audience what happened that dreadful night. Coogler does not offer his opinion of Oscar’s death. He does not attempt to explore the political and sociological consequences of Oscar’s death. He allows the film to speak for itself.
How does this man who blatantly killed Oscar essentially get away with murder, while other citizens are imprisoned for a decade for petty crimes?
It makes one wonder about our court system.
Until I saw the movie trailer before watching a film several months ago, I had never heard of Oscar’s shooting. Fruitvale Station is a movie I have wanted to see ever since. It is a movie where one becomes lost in the story. It is a movie in which you don’t check your phone to see how much longer until the end. It is a movie that will make you think of life a little bit differently.
Most importantly, it is a movie that you should see.
Grade: A-
Are you planning on watching this film?
If you’ve seen it, what do you think?
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