Steve Reviews Fruitvale Station

Back when I worked at the cinema, I was part of a group of people that reviewed films for the local newspaper. We were all assigned different titles, and our short articles ran about every 3rd week. One of the first films I was assigned was Notorious, a 2009 biopic about rapper Notorious B.I.G. I gave it a positive review, and was subsequently assigned every single all-black cast films afterwards. I thought it odd that no one else had to review Madea or Push, but I didn't mind. I found good things to say about all of them (and not just in an "I don't want to sound racist" way).

The only things I knew about Fruitvale Station going into the movie were that it was a true story and that Fruitvale Station is a real stop on the Oakland, CA, public transit line. Also, I heard some Oscar nomination buzz, but nothing as detailed as whom or in what categories. As discussed in previous articles on this site, I prefer this blind scenario for true reviewability.

The film begins with cell phone footage of police trying to arrest a group of young men on the platform of the eponymous transit stop when a gun fires. The next 90 minutes is the 24 hours leading up to this event, as told through the eyes of the main character: Oscar Grant. I had no idea that Oscar was a black man when I entered the theatre. I spent a few minutes laughing to myself about how I would have likely been assigned a review of this film had it come out 3 or 4 years ago. The day is New Years Eve. Oscar spends the day reflecting on his rough life of 22 years while trying to provide for his girlfriend and daughter. He is also preparing for a birthday party that evening for his mother, played by Oscar-winner Octavia Spencer.

After seeing the events play out, I would assume the likely Oscar buzz was for Spencer. She has been a character actor for years, and she often shines in comedic roles, such as the one in The Help which won her the prize a couple years ago. This turn in a dramatic role isn't her first, but those "experts" likely saw her straight face and motherly behavior as Academy fodder. To me, it wasn't anything to write home about. She was good, yes, but she wasn't Oscar good. She may garner a nomination anyway.

Michael B. Jordan (no relation to that other guy with the same first and last name) shines as Oscar - no pun intended. You may know him from his television work on The Wire, Friday Night Lights, or All My Children. He's received several NAACP Image Awards, and I think the kid's got a future in film as well. He is able to go from loving father and caring friend to menacing thug with a turn of a switch. In fact, it's the uncomfortability of the film, almost in a John Singleton way, that made me like it. That and knowing it really happened go a long way.

If this film is in a theatre near you, it's worth your time. Although with a July release date, I can't promise it'll be remembered come nomination time. But even if it is, I can't see more than Spencer getting the nod.

-Steve
8.1.2013