Fruitvale Station (2013)

The story of Oscar Grant III, a 22-year-old Bay Area resident, who crosses paths with friends, enemies, family, and strangers on the last day of 2008.

Director:

Ryan Coogler

Writer:

Ryan Coogler

Stars:

Michael B. Jordan, Melonie Diaz, Octavia Spencer

38 wins & 55 nominations.

Cast

Cast overview, first billed only:
Michael B. Jordan	...	Oscar Grant
Melonie Diaz	...	Sophina
Octavia Spencer	...	Wanda
Kevin Durand	...	Officer Caruso
Chad Michael Murray	...	Officer Ingram
Ahna O'Reilly	...	Katie
Ariana Neal	...	Tatiana
Keenan Coogler	...	Cato
Trestin George	...	Brandon
Joey Oglesby	...	Cale
Michael James	...	Carlos
Marjorie Crump-Shears	...	Grandma Bonnie (as Marjorie Shears)
Destiny Ekwueme	...	Chantay
Bianca Rodriguez III	...	Vanessa (as Bianca Rodriguez)
Julian Keyes	...	Kris

Storyline

This is the true story of Oscar, a 22-year-old Bay Area resident who wakes up on the morning of December 31, 2008 and feels something in the air. Not sure what it is, he takes it as a sign to get a head start on his resolutions: being a better son to his mother, whose birthday falls on New Year's Eve, being a better partner to his girlfriend, who he hasn't been completely honest with as of late, and being a better father to T, their beautiful 4 year old daughter. He starts out well, but as the day goes on, he realizes that change is not going to come easy. He crosses paths with friends, family, and strangers, each exchange showing us that there is much more to Oscar than meets the eye. But it would be his final encounter of the day, with police officers at the Fruitvale BART station that would shake the Bay Area to its very core, and cause the entire nation to be witnesses to the story of Oscar Grant.

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Plot Keywords:

murder of an innocent person | family tragedy | racism | police brutality | gay | 

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Taglines:

Every step brings you closer to the edge.

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Genres:

Biography | Crime | Drama | Romance

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Motion Picture Rating (MPAA)

Rated R for some violence, language throughout and some drug use

Did You Know?

Trivia

Producer Forest Whitaker became a very early supporter of Ryan Coogler after seeing his film work in college.

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Goofs

When Oscar drops his daughter off at daycare, he has to knock on the door to enter with her. When he picks her up later, he walks up the side driveway, enters the back yard and starts playing with her. No one really acknowledges him.

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Quotes

[first lines]
Oscar Grant: What's your resolution?
Sophina: I'm gonna cut carbs.
Oscar Grant: Aren't you Mexican? You can't eat nothin' Grandma makes.
Sophina: It only takes 30 days to form a habit, and then it becomes second nature.
Oscar Grant: Who says that?
Sophina: Oprah.
Oscar Grant: Okay. Oprah cool now?
Sophina: What's yours?
Oscar Grant: I wanna quit selling trees.

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Connections

Featured in Maltin on Movies: Pacific Rim (2013)

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Soundtracks

Won't Be Right
Written and Performed by D. Newton and M. Wade
Performed by The Jacka and Cellski
Courtesy of The Artist Records and Inner City 2K

User Reviews

Great acting, but some heavy-handed symbolism makes it a good movie

Making a movie about a Oscar Grant and his shooting is not an easy task. It was undoubtedly wrong about how the law enforcement officials acted, however, it is a fine line to ensure that he is not inaccurately depicted as a saint. Michael B. Jordan who had a small role in Chronicle truly shines in this role. The viewer can see how hard he is trying to change his ways. But he is still a very volatile individual with a very rugged core, and the same time a sensitive soul. This was shown when he stands his ground in prison and on the BART, and also when he heartbreakingly asks his mom for a hug in prison. Overall it was a great movie aside from the overt symbolism of the dog getting killed by the car which I think was meant to mirror his later situation. Also the slow motion race that he has with his daughter also seemed out of place. Melonie Diaz also has a strong role as his girlfriend.

Details

Official Sites:

Official Facebook Official Pinterest

Country:

USA

Language:

English Spanish

Release Date:

26 July 2013 (USA)

Also Known As:

Fruitvale

Filming Locations:

Oakland, California, USA

Box Office

Budget:

$900,000 (estimated)

Opening Weekend USA:

$386,291, 14 July 2013

Gross USA:

$16,101,339

Cumulative Worldwide Gross:

$17,385,830

Company Credits

Production Co:

Forest Whitaker's Significant Productions, OG Project

Technical Specs

Runtime:

85 min

Sound Mix:

Dolby Digital

Color:

Color

Aspect Ratio:

1.85 : 1