Fruitvale Station reaches past politics to humanity, turning abstract issues into personal realities. Societally, it shows how over-policing, institutionalized racism, and systemic marginalization perpetuate trauma. Personally, it's a day in the life of a complicated yet relatable protagonist, displaying his flaws, tenderness, joys, pressures, and motivations. This is realized by the raw authenticity, lurking tension, chemistry, intense range, and profound vulnerability of the actors. Plus, there's natural dialogue, symbolism, and setup/payoff. Ultimately, Fruitvale Station is a relevant, grounded, honest, and heartfelt tragedy that highlights everyone's right to the pursuit of happiness.
Technically, Fruitvale Station is subtly thunderous. Its intimate visuals use meaningful handhelds, POVs, composition, focus, depth, longer takes, angles, and framing. The editing adds archive footage, cue cuts, fades, inserts, slo-mo, cross-cuts, cooldowns, a free-flowing structure, and a lingering pace. Its sound utilizes split cuts, voiceovers, symbolic ambiance, distortions, volume shifts, and powerful silence. Meanwhile, the music is minimal, the production design is gritty, the cast has breakout stars, and the minor effects are fitting. These restrained choices allow space for fierce emotions. Overall, Fruitvale Station is sensitive, immersive, sincere, and transformative.
Writing: 10/10
Direction: 10/10
Cinematography: 9/10
Acting: 10/10
Editing: 9/10
Sound: 8/10
Score/Soundtrack: 8/10
Production Design: 8/10
Casting: 8/10
Effects: 7/10
Overall Score: 8.7/10
Comments