Outside of his charming smile, athletic frame and humble demeanor, Michael B. Jordan proved that he is an incredible acting talent with his Oscar worthy performance in the independent film about the shooting of Oscar Grant, “Fruitvale Station.”
Jordan, widely known for his roles in “The Wire,” “Friday Night Lights” and ” Red Tails,” delivers a sincere depiction of Oscar Grant. And that could partially be attributed to the amazing script, researched and written by equally as young of a lad–Ryan Coogler.
“Fruitvale Station” follows the lead-up events to the day–New Years Day– that Oscar was gunned down in the Bay area while riding the BART by a police officer while under arrest. Camera footage from the event The film won the Audience Award for U.S. dramatic film at the 2013 Sundance Film Festival and is being praised as a “must-see” for all races and ages.
During a recent round-table discussion with the director and screenwriter Coogler, he called actors the “vessel” to which the public connects with the story and the words couldn’t be truer in this instance where Jordan is able to emote the desperation and anger only a convicted felon could understand. His portrayal of Grant, 22, is honest and hearty.
5. He went above and beyond expectations to embody the character of Oscar Grant
There is an intense scene in “Fruitvale Station” where Oscar (Michael B. Jordan), in order or to partake in visiting hours with his mother (played by Octavia Spencer), had to squat and cough in front of prison guard. Jordan exposed himself in a degrading light.
“We spoke to Jordan at a round-table discussion where he told us,”I actually volunteered, I wanted to do it. That’s what he would have done.”
4. He is tough enough to handle such a controversial role
“Fruitvale Station’s” tragic ending doesn’t have to beg for tears. It is tough to endure and even harder to grasp. This isn’t the first time Jordan has seen himself killed, or shot for that matter, but he takes it in stride , just hoping his new roles won’t be the same. Because no mother should see her son die. “I’m not trying to put my mother through that. It’s like unnatural to watch your son die so many times in so many different ways,” he told us.
“I don’t want to put her through that anymore. It’s also depressing for me too, mentally going into the mind-set of losing your life. For me, it’s really heavy. For a couple of weeks after, I’m a little depressed. I try to check out and move on to the next thing, and be around my family and people who I care about and love and just try to get back to some-what normal. I’m just trying to choose roles now where I make it through the third act.”
Let’s face it, Hollywood is as superficial as it gets. And if you are familiar with the machine, you know just how important looks are. Jordan is a clean-cut, handsome guy, with an apparently black canvas. He is moldable and can adapt to diverse roles. Not to mention his sculpted physique that makes many notable cameos in “Fruitvale Station.”
At the 2013 BET Awards, Michael B. Jordan and Forest Whitaker took to the hardwood where he praised the Academy Award winner, saying “be marveled by the job this guy right here [Michael B. Jordan] does on the screen. You folks are looking for the next generation of great actors, your search has ended right here.”
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