Fruitvale Station

Inspired by true events, Fruitvale Station follows Michael B. Jordan’s Oscar Grant as he goes about his day-to-day routine in the buildup to New Year’s Eve. It’s a palpably low-key premise that’s employed to continuously engrossing effect by first-time writer/director Ryan Coogler, with the movie’s slice-of-life atmosphere perpetuated by its subdued visuals and uniformly impressive performances. In terms of the latter, Jordan’s captivating and downright electrifying turn as the flawed central character remains a consistent highlight in the proceedings – as the actor’s stirring work ensures that Oscar quickly morphs from a fairly off-putting figure into a wholeheartedly sympathetic protagonist. Coogler, for the most part, does a superb job of infusing the narrative with a palpably (and irresistibly) authentic feel, and there’s certainly never any doubt that Fruitvale Station represents an accurate portrayal of life within Oakland’s less-than-savory neighborhoods. The compelling vibe ultimately compensates for the inclusion of far-from-subtle elements within Coogler’s screenplay, as the filmmaker’s efforts at humanizing the central character are, at times, almost eye-rollingly clunky (eg Oscar helps a fellow customer with her shopping, Oscar elicits advice from a stranger about proposing to his girlfriend, etc). This is an extremely minor complaint for a movie that is otherwise consistently engaging, with the emotional punch of the film’s final stretch confirming Fruitvale Station‘s place as a superior piece of work.

***1/2 out of ****