FRUITVALE STATION

This film is based on the true story of 22-year-old Oscar Grant, who was shot while lying face down at Fruitvale Station by a Bay Area Rapid Transport police officer.

It opens with mobile phone footage taken on the night. This is an engrossing film, telling the story of the day leading up to the events.

While Oscar (Michael B. Jordan) has not always been the perfect partner to girlfriend Sophina, nor has he been the perfect son to mother (Octavia Spencer), there’s a general sense that he’s not a bad guy.

Comparable in Australia to the 2004 Palm Island death in custody, which saw a police officer charged and later acquitted of manslaughter.

This film will leave audiences feeling outraged. (VP)

****

BY VANESSA POWELL