Rating of
3/4
A Day in the Life
Chris Kavan - wrote on 02/06/14
For a first time director, Ryan Coogler has certainly made an impact. Fruitvale Station is an account of the final day in the life of Oscar Grant. As Oscar, Michael B. Jordan also asserts himself as an actor to be reckoned with. I had previously seen him in the sci-fi thriller, Chronicle, but this is far and away his breakout role.
Fruitvale Station is based on true events - after a New Years celebration, Grant and a group of his friends were taking the BART to their destination (Fruitvale Station - hence the title) when an incident aboard the train caused the police to intervene at the stop and, ultimately, Grant was shot in the back and died from his wound. But while that is the outcome - Fruitvale Station is an examination of Grant, and where he is at in his life.
Make no mistake, Grant is not portrayed as a saint - he is a very real person with issues - he did time in prison, he has a temper, he has a daughter and loving girlfriend, but still cheats on her and he lies about losing his job. But for all the troubles in his life, he is also shown as a caring man, especially when it comes to family. Both his daughter, T (for Tatiana - a wonderful find in Ariana Neal) and his Mother (played by the excellent Octavia Spencer) are given much attention - most of day he prepares for his mom's birthday - even though it is shown they have a somewhat tense relationship. Even though it is show he has been messing around, he also shows much love to his girlfriend, Sophina (Melonie Diaz),
If he is caring towards his family - he is shown as just as helpful with random strangers. From helping a hectic woman planning a Southern fish fry for her husband (even calling up his grandma) to giving a pregnant woman a helping hand, and even his interactions with a stray dog - Oscar may have issues, but he also has a giving soul. Now, I realize that I'm sure there were liberties taken with the story. I doubt everything that happened in the film was true-to-life, but even with the embellishments - you still get the overall sense of who Oscar was.
Some people may be turned off by the whole handheld camera style - but in this case it works to enhance the film. It gives the film a much more intimate feel - like you are there - and it really serves to give you a better connection to the story and the people involved. The film is full of moments both quiet and others more pronounced - but it always feels right. Some might say a single day doesn't give you enough time to truly know someone, but Fruitvale Station proves a single day is more than enough time to celebrate a life - one cut all too short by a seemingly senseless act.
