Tragedy at Fruitvale

"But I tell you, love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you, that you may be children of your Father in heaven. He causes his sun to rise on the evil and the good, and sends rain on the righteous and the unrighteous." — Matthew 5:44-45

Oscar Grant was heading home in the early morning hours of New Year's Day, 2009, when his life came to a brutal end. "Fruitvale Station," a film that soared at the Cannes Film Festival, chronicles the final 24 hours of Oscar's life. It begins with cell phone footage of the events at Fruitvale Station, and it closes with a 2013 tribute to Oscar held at the same station.

This has been a tough time for our country. This summer saw the controversial outcome of the George Zimmerman trial, a case where many believe a young man was shot because he was black and in the wrong neighborhood. It's hard not to think of that when watching "Fruitvale Station," the story of a young black man who was shot and killed by police without justification. The cases are different, but it's hard not to reflect on what they say about our country. In both cases a young man is dead. In both cases you can't help but feel that racial relations in our country have a lot to do with it.

But "Fruitvale Station" isn't just about the politics of this situation. It's a beautiful portrait of a young man's last day and the brutal incident that claimed his life. It's also about what he left behind — a young daughter whose life was shattered, a girlfriend left alone, and a heart-broken mother.

It's easy to take the victim of injustice and deify them. Oscar Grant didn't deserve to die, and what happened to him is a gross miscarriage of justice. But he wasn't a saint. And "Fruitvale Station" doesn't make him out to be a saint.

Oscar Grant had his struggles. He struggled to be the man he wanted to be. He struggled to learn from his past. He struggled to make his way in the world. He struggled to be a good son and brother. He struggled to be a good father. All of that is captured in a beautiful way in this film from writer/director Ryan Coogler.

And a big part of the appeal is star Michael B. Jordan. This isn't the first time that Jordan has captured the heart of audiences. In the 12th episode of the first season of "The Wire," the greatest show in the history of television, Jordan's innocence as young Wallace couldn't help but move audiences to tears. In the final two seasons of "Friday Night Lights," Jordan brought to life a different kind of teen with Vince Howard. Yet his incredible performance and depth of emotion was part of the draw of those final two seasons of the show.

You can see all that with his finely tuned work as Grant in "Fruitvale Station." It is a mix of emotions, beautiful tender moments and dramatic moments that tug at your heart. He's equally matched on the screen by Melonie Diaz, who played Oscar's girlfriend, and Octavia Spencer, who delivers a beautiful performance as Oscar's mother.

"Fruitvale Station" isn't an easy movie to watch. But it's a beautifully made story. It's emotional and powerful. And it can't help but make you think about the world we live in, which is always a good thing.