The true story film called Fruitvale Station makes a depressing statement about the excessive power of America’s police. Actual footage of the appalling incident that took place on New Year’s Eve 2008 in Oakland, California, gives testimony to a growing problem that should be addressed in all phases of our justice system. Now on Blu-ray/DVD + Digital Copy, the must see film opens wounds that never seem to heal.
The first 60 seconds of the movie shows a cell phone video of a black man being taken down by police and then a final ‘bang’ as a police pistol goes off. Flash back two days earlier and we see 22-year-old Oscar Grant (Michael B. Jordan) dealing with the daily drama of being a father to 4-year-old Tatiana (Ariana Neal). She’s the daughter of his girlfriend and companion to Sophina (Melonie Diaz) and Oscar and Tatiana look inseparable.
During the next 60 minutes we witness Oscar’s drama showing his past prison stay where he has a run in with a Hispanic gang member, hiding truths from his mother, breaking a deal to sell pot and other situations. It’s now New Year’s Eve 2008 and his mother’s (Octavia Spencer) birthday. Oscar’s trying to leave his past behind and with Sophina he wants to see the fireworks in San Francisco. When Oscar agrees to take his mother’s advice and ride the BART, the family’s lives will change forever.
First time feature director Ryan Coogler does an admirable job with the subject matter, keeping it taut and powerful, but not overstating the message. His work with Fruitvale Station reminds me of director John Singleton who started his career with another volatile film called Boyz in the Hood that earned him two Oscar nominations. Coogler could get equal recognition for his handling of this drama as it pulls excellent performances out of his cast, takes aim at a subject important to America, and delivers a strong message without the rhetoric that sometimes dampens a true narrative.
Actor Michael B. Jordan whom I often admire in roles like the super powered Steve Montgomery in Chronicle, Maurice Wilson in Red Tails, and one of the scrappy members of a Cinderella baseball team in Hard Ball. Here however, he gets serious and he’s brilliant portraying an ex-con trying to go straight and making amends for his sordid past. He makes his character both likeable and unlikeable at the same time showing both sides of Oscar Grant. Coogler pushes Jordan to another level as a bad boy who won’t take things as they are and this is the plot point that’s most damaging. Oscar can’t come to terms with his ways and has not healed from the hurt he received growing up often choosing his own course of right versus wrong. Even in the final moments of his life he cannot resist fighting for his rights, but this time in the wrong place at the wrong time.
The cinematography by Rachel Morrison fits the bleak story adding a depressing aura even on the eve of the New Year. Her shoot is perfect and keeps director Ryan Coogler’s narrative in tune with the message. She gets startling close-ups of Oscar Grant’s dealings with life trials while showing the softness coming through in scenes depicting his relationship with Tatiana. The most memorable picture however comes with the confrontation on BART where Morrison points her camera at the fury within, then turns it on Oscar for one more foreboding shot.
The film has been rated R by the MPAA for some violence, language throughout and some drug use. Be cautious when deciding to allow immature children see the DVD as it does have some scenes that may be very inappropriate.
The Bonus Features are as thought provoking as the film itself.
- “Fruitvale Station: The Story of Oscar Grant” This feature goes over the film with the cast, director and producers from their point of view. It makes a great companion piece for the film itself. Here they talk about the tragedy and how to perceive it along with the messages it sends.
- “Q&A with Cast & Filmmakers” takes you to Oakland, CA on July 12, 2013 where they received questions in front of an audience following a screening of the film.
The film quality with the Blu-ray is excellent with very clear and clean photography. It has the bonus of a 1.78:1 Aspect Ratio for those who have 16×9 televisions as it fills the whole screen.
The sound quality on both the Blu-ray and DVD is very good. The film has a lot of noise possibilities with the subway being loud, but every word can he heard during the disturbance within the train and on the platform where the tragedy happens.
Specifications and additional film information:
Cast: Michael B. Jordan, Melonie Diaz, Ariana Neal and Octavia Spencer
Written and Directed by: Ryan Coogler
MPAA Rating: R for some violence, language throughout and some drug use
Genre: Drama
Running Time: 1 hr 30 min
Video Release Date: January 14, 2013
Original Film Release Date: July 26, 2013
Language: Choice of English & Spanish
Format: Blu-ray/DVD +Digital
Audio: Blur-ray- 5.1 DTS-HD Master Audio, DVD- 5.1 Dolby Digital
Video: Full 16×9 Television with Aspect Ratio 1.78:1
Subtitles: English SDH, Spanish
Number of Discs: 2 Discs
Distributed by: Anchor Bay/The Weinstein Company
Writer, critic, film editor John Delia, Sr. has been on all sides of the movie business from publications to film making. He has worked as a film critic with ACED Magazine for more than 20 years and other publications for a total of 40 years. He earned a Bachelor’s degree in communications from the University of Florida. John is a member of the Southeastern Film Critics Association and Critics Association of Central Florida Send John a message at jdelia@acedmagazine.com
