Sometimes in life there are things that should just never happen, senseless events and tragedies which are just horrible. These events are generally well publicised by the news and bring people together in questioning the actions of other in collective grief.
And then someone makes a film out of the story, which often tugs too hard on the emotional heartstrings or is tailored in such a way that it is so far from the truth that the story loses its soul.
Fruitvale Station (2013) is based on the true story of Oscar Grant III (Jordan) who was shot by BART (Bay Area Rapid Transport) Police on New Year’s Day and died a few hours later. This event was captured by many passengers on their phones and the film opens with the shocking real life footage of the event but cuts to black when the shot is fired.
The film then goes back 24 hours and we get a day in the life film’, which is thankfully well done and not as preachy in its storytelling compared to other based on a true story’ films.
The film plays out very well and in its short runtime we get the story of Oscar, a former convict who is genuinely trying to get his life on track, patch things up with his girlfriend Sophina (Diaz) after being caught cheating, and to spend some time with his mother Wanda (Spencer) on her birthday, December 31st 2008.
I read up on the real events after watching this film and the subtle differences between the fact and fiction shouldn’t distract you. Although you know how it ends, it’s all about the story and the character of Oscar, played brilliantly by Michael B Jordan. Throughout the day we see a lot of people who are connected to him through his kindness. He helps a stranger who’s never fried fish before, is warm to his kid, nephews, nieces and his mother and others along his way.
At first we get a picture of a cheating gangster’ who sells weed, has a young daughter and can barely provide. He visits his brother at a deli and with the knowledge that he’s a cheater fresh in the audience’s minds; he is seen helping an attractive woman at the store. Most people would think that he has an ulterior motive and it is revealed that he was fired from the deli for coming in late.
But by the end of the film he is portrayed by his peers and his actions as a genuinely nice and caring human being who life is senselessly ended. The film develops this gradually through warm interactions, although to be honest there were a few too many moments of foreshadowing made up of what ifs and broken plans. It begins to feel like a guilt trip, especially as we know Oscar’s fate. I personally didn’t need the scene where his mother blames herself for what has happened.
We do get the right amount of backstory to develop the characters, such as a prison flashback of his mother visiting, which is poignant and helps show the strained relationship between Oscar and his mother.
The relationships portrayed in this film all seem natural and none of the performances seem fake or over indulgent given the source material. Well cast and realistic.
As with a lot of modern films based on true stories we have a lot of long shots, out of focus shaky cam and diegetic soundtrack which is well done and all adds to the realism.
We also have bursts of soundtrack which adds weight to certain scenes and all in all improves the atmosphere in the right places.
This film was a hit in the festival circuit and rightly deserved its awards. First time director Ryan Coogler has created a warm family drama which although it ends tragically, is handled with care, heart and some genuine moments of kindness. The one standout moment being when and how they bring in the New Year.
Thrown in we have a few moments of racism and poverty, which like most of this film isn’t too preachy. And with such difficult subject matter the ending is thankfully well done.
I like films that show a day in the life of an interesting character, but also ones that are based on a true story: if handled well with an emotional punch, such as this or City of God (2002).
This film sets out to, and succeeds, in hitting home what a senseless and terrible event this was. Unfortunately things like this happen all the time but the main message I got from this film is one of kindness to your friends and family and that it’s never too late to change for the better.
Overall Verdict: A delicately handled, moving and captivating film. Great performances, editing and direction make an excellent film and one of the best films I’ve seen that’s based on a true story. Devastating and well worth a watch.
Reviewer: George Elcombe