Incarceration is meant to be rehabilitative, and stories of inmates finding resources to do just that are often compelling, as this film shows.
The movie is set at the real correctional facility Sing Sing in New York state, and centers on the prison’s Rehabilitation Through the Arts program. The RTA allows inmates to participate in a theater group where they’re able to put on various stage plays throughout the year.
John “Divine G” Whitfield (Colman Domingo), is imprisoned for a crime he didn’t commit, but has dedicated himself to working in the program as both an actor and writer. The film picks up with him and other inmates preparing to take on something new in the form of a comedy play, rather than a drama.
“Sing Sing” has a rawness that few other films contain, largely thanks to its cast. Many of the characters are played by actual former inmates of Sing Sing who were themselves in the RTA. It makes the lived experience of these characters and the emotions they express feel entirely convincing.
There are times where we as the audience observe the group’s theater exercises and it can come across more like a documentary in how pure it is. It’s in these moments where we can see the characters’ struggle, resiliency and healing, all of it making for effective cinema.
It’s in these moments where the movie is really at its best. There’s a great deal of sincerity in the interactions and their passion for the production. It’s clear that the art form is having a profound impact on their lives, giving them an outlet for creativity and escapism as they serve their sentence.
It’s the movie’s more standard prison drama moments that are actually its weakness. The overarching plot line in the picture is Divine G’s efforts to prove his innocence, while also trying to build up a connection with Divine Eye (Clarence Maclin), who hesitantly got involved with the program.
These sections of the movie aren’t necessarily bad, mind you. They’re well-acted and offer additional insight into the justice system, along with its effect on people. However, it also feels much more manufactured. The script at times isn’t quite as complex as one would hope either.
Yet so much of this is made up by the performances at play. Unsurprisingly, Domingo is quite good in the lead role. Divine G is an imperfect man in an imperfect situation trying to make the best of things, both in his own situation and with the group, and Domingo pulls it off. Paul Raci, who gave a great performance in “The Sound of Metal,” is also solid as the program director.
The film looks nice, too. There are plenty of shots, both outside the prison and within the cells, that give the viewer a sense of the inmates’ living environment and how far away the outside world feels. The moments with the theater group are good as well, as the cinematography overall has a looseness that matches the freeing nature of art the men are experiencing.
“Sing Sing” is a special viewing experience. It’s a clear window into how these men were able to find something positive in a harsh reality, and tangible to build relationships and find a better version of themselves. The writing isn’t as powerful as some other contenders this year and its main plot is a little paint-by-numbers, but it’s still worth a good watch for sure. 3.85 out of 5.
Matthew Liedke on Film 
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