The saddest story ever told----Michael B Jordan and Melonie Diaz as Oscar and his girlfriend, Sophina in Fruitvale Station
Fruitvale Station is the most gripping film anyone is likely to see in 2013 or for years to come. It's a film that is incredibly difficult to watch but also expertly performed and totally rewarding in its own right. There's an intensity throughout the film where no one really knows what's going to happen next even if they know the story. That intensity should keep everyone at every showing of this film glued to their seats. It's a powerhouse film from first time writer-director Ryan Coogler.
In the film...Michael B Jordan plays Oscar Grant...an ex-convict who is trying to get his life together and work hard for his family. His girlfriend, Sophina (Melonie Diaz) and his mother, Wanda (Octavia Spencer) are still weary of his future. His daughter, Tatiana (Ariana Neal) loves him with all her heart. No one can blame Tatiana for not being weary, either. For one...she's too young to fully get his situation. Even more to the point...Oscar is incredibly caring to Tatiana and tries to be the best father he can be. The film takes place on New Years Eve 2008 and some on New Years Day 2009. There is one scene in the film that flashes back to 2007 that is so expertly performed and heart breaking that I practically burst into tears. Anyway...the film builds up to the devastating shooting by police officers of Oscar at a subway stop. If this weren't based on a true story...this would still be one of the saddest films that I have ever seen.
Jordan is amazing here. He makes Oscar into such a sympathetic character while also showing just how flawed of a person he is. He manages to show every emotion he needs to without everyone going overboard. This can't all be said to be because of Jordan, however. Writer-Director Coogler assures that Oscar never be let off the hook for all his flaws even though he's obviously a pretty decent guy. Diaz is fantastic here as she show just how much Sophina desires for Oscar to get his life together. We all know Spencer is a terrific actress and this film is no anomaly. She shows all the care that Wanda has for Oscar while simultaneously displaying the skepticism only a mother's love could bring. Neal is also phenomenal here as the smart daughter who's still too young to understand Oscar's struggles and loves him no matter what.
The film is expertly written by Coogler---giving the script an intense vibe especially since anyone who knows the story knows what's coming and is therefore terrified to see what is to come. The direction is also fantastic. The look of the film is so authentic that you feel as if you're smack dab in the middle of these people's lives. The film is also all the more sad due to the fact that Coogler shows that nothing Oscar did on the day leading up to the shooting was particularly out of the ordinary.
I've always believed that it takes a big man to admit that he cried and dammit---I'd be lying if I said I wasn't bawling as I walked out of the theater for Fruitvale Station. I honestly can't complain about the film at all except to say that it is incredibly tough to watch. I'm just hoping that despite this being a summer release---when the Academy Awards roll around...the Academy won't forget this truly remarkable film.
(5 out of 5 Stars, The film is rated R for some violence, language throughout and some drug use)
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