Movie Review of Fruitvale Station

I didn't exactly know what to expect going into Fruitvale Station. I heard great things from it coming out of sundance and many reviewers had nothing but great things to say about it. However the concept didn't exactly intrigue me, and in the wrong hands it could be a preachy, drama about with nothing to say other than white vs. black, and the way blacks are treated. However this Micheal B. Jordan, and Octavia Spencer driven film  set on New Year's day is an excellent drama about humanity and the relationship between one man, his family, his friends, and those who look down on him.

The film is a true story about a man named Oscar, an ex-convict whose last day of his life is followed up until his untimely death, which is shown in the first minuets of the film. He interacts with his former manager, girlfriend, daughter, mother, and his friends throughout the day as we learn more and more about this character. He is a caring, loving individual with a dark past revealed by his past days in prison.

First time director Ryan Coogler's film is an incredibly directed and acted film that is one of the best of the year. The film treats this character not as the man who was murdered, but rather the father, the son, the friend, and the loving caring person that he is. He is a person that is troubled by his dark past, and providing for his family is the only thing keeping him from fully leaving the life behind. Coogler uses a hand held shot for the majority of the film, which can be over used and annoying in other films, but is used very effectively in this film.

The acting here is also very great. All involved give grounded performances up until the end where the film builds up to chaos, as do the characters and performances. The star Michael B. Jordan is able to come across as a man that is loving of everyone in his life, and will defend all of them to the death. This however gets him in more trouble than these people would like. Melonie Diaz also is able to give of a character that is having trouble dealing with her husband and daughter, but still comes across as loving and the most caring person in the world.

Overall, I thought this film was fantastic. Every aspect from the directing, writing, and acting is flawless. It gives us an insight to the life of these people without demoting or promoting them. I would recommend this film to anyone. It's an important film to view and to experience. It can teach us about ourselves and our relationships with others. I would give it a 10/10.