Sing Sing

Today's movie was "Sing Sing" (2024), a prison-rehabilitation drama co-written and directed by Greg Kwedar, and based on a 2005 "Esquire" article, "The Sing Sing Follies," by John H. Richardson. It's showing in theaters.

My 7 of 10 review is at:

It's a prison-rehabilitation drama set in the 2010s in the Sing Sing Correctional Facility north of New York City. It builds a story on the Rehabilitation Through the Arts (RTA) program that engages prisoners in a drama program in which they put on two plays per year. John Divine G Whitfield (Colman Domingo), one of the program's founders, has been in prison for about 15 years for a murder he denies committing while he was a drug dealer. The director of the Sing Sing program is Brent Buell (Paul Raci). We meet a variety of prisoners, especially Clarence Divine Eye Maclin (Himself), who is very hard-edged at the movie's beginning.

"Sing Sing" follows the development of the first comedy produced by the Sing Sing program, which involves time travel. We see conflicts, tragedy, and disappointments when hearings don't go as planned or an inmate dies suddenly.

The movie's "hook" is that most of the actors, former inmates engaged in the RTA program, play earlier versions of themselves in the film. This particularly includes Divine Eye Maclin. The real Divine G Whitfield, as does the real Brent Buell, has a small role.

"Sing Sing" is heartwarming and demonstrates that people can change. However, it also drags at times and has limited action. Clarence Maclin is amazing, and Colman Domingo does a fine job. Of the prisoners, I especially liked Sean Dino Johnson. Some obvious questions are not addressed, like how women show up in the final productions when none rehearse or are characters in the film.

7 of 10.

Caught this film last night at a blind preview at our local theater complex. Probably wouldn't have opted to see it if I'd have known what it was but I'm grateful I did. Moving, honest portrayals by some of the participants in the program it depicts (particularly Clarence Maclin and Sean Johnson) and the work of Colman Domingo are it's strengths. The cinematography and direction add to the sincerity of the performances by not overwhelming them and taking an approach that feels like the viewer is witnessing the conversations and events instead of consuming them. Thought provoking. Understated. Sincere. Not flawless but really well done.

Best movie I have seen in some time. Cast was extraordinary. Colman Domingo is incredible. The filmography is very unique and really sets the tone. The plot was well crafted and paced. I was very moved by this movie. Definitely worth watching on the big screen. Movie is based on a true story about the theater program Reformed Through Art at Sing Sing. Many characters are played by former members of the program. The emotional range of the characters in this movie is extremely compelling. I was moved to tears several times throughout this movie. This movie is touching and heartwarming-it explores hope and grief and redemption. Just profoundly lovely.

When everything gets taken away from one's life, it must be nearly impossible to find something that provides a reason to carry on. So it is for the incarcerated, individuals faced with an uncertain future of indeterminate duration. And, under conditions as difficult as these, realistically speaking, one can't help but wonder whether rehabilitation will actually pan out as a viable option. But, for some, there's hope through a seemingly unlikely source - the arts, as chronicled in this fact-based drama about the participants in the inmate theater program at New York's Sing Sing maximum security prison. With a cast featuring both professional actors and current and former members of this gifted incarcerated troupe, viewers witness the highs and lows of these men as they strive to bring meaning - and hope - to their time behind bars. Director Greg Kwedar's second feature provides an up-close look at the lives of these aspiring actors, both in terms of their on-stage pursuits and their everyday lives under conditions most of us probably can't even begin to imagine. While the picture's narrative is admittedly a little thin and meandering at times, that's more than made up for in the film's superb performances, led by Colman Domingo, Clarence Maclin, Paul Raci and Sean San Jose, who, like virtually everyone else in this fine ensemble, bring an unmatched depth to their characters and interpersonal relationships, easily among the best work in these areas that I've seen in quite some time. In doing so, this offering also takes audiences on a rollercoaster ride of emotions, from uplifting joys to heartfelt disappointments, revealing the tremendous strength of character driving these individuals. That's particularly poignant knowing that many of those in this production can relate to their circumstances from firsthand experience, thereby infusing this release with a level of unabridged authenticity seldom seen on the big screen. For its efforts, "Sing Sing" stands a good chance of being one of 2024's awards season contenders, especially in the acting categories, showing us what's possible when we allow our passions to surface for their own sake, especially when we have nothing to lose by doing so, a genuine source of inspiration from whom we might least likely expect it.

While this new independent film distributed by A24 is set inside a prison in New York, it is less of a "prison movie" in the conventional sense and more of an emotionally impactful and inspiring drama about how art--particularly theater--can rehabilitate people in need of rehabilitation. The film's depiction of this issue is genuine and heartfelt, and forms the cornerstone to a generally engaging story. Colman Domingo plays the protagonist, who is incarcerated but helps lead the prison theatre group.

The film takes a bit of time to truly get going, but it still remains gripping and engaging. Domingo's performance is great, showing understated emotion in a way that makes a strong impact on the viewer, while also radiating a deep sense of compassion. The supporting actors are all excellent as well, and many of the supporting cast members apparently have been formerly incarcerated. The incorporation of the theatre program into the narrative creates comic relief, but also pathos and powerful bonding between the inmates and the program director. "Sing Sing" isn't perfect, as the character development of the supporting characters could have been improved, but its beating heart and thoughtful, humane tone is genuinely moving and memorable. Gladly recommended. 8/10.