Review
SING SING – Review
SING SING is not about vocalizing but a powerful, moving drama about the transformative power of art in an deeply human story about men incarcerated at the Sing Sing penitentiary in rural New York. Nonetheless, SING SING does indeed sing, with a tour-de-force performance by Colman Domingo as one of the men participating in the prison theater arts program, a program that transforms the lives of those incarcerated through performing in plays and expressing their humanity and finding uplift.
Sing Sing Correctional Facility, a maximum security prison about 30 miles north of Manhattan on the east bank of the Hudson River in New York, is the setting for the true story-based SING SING. In this very different kind of prison drama, Colman Domingo stars as John “Divine G” Whitfield, a man imprisoned for a crime he did not commit, who finds emotional release and hope through acting and writing in the prison performing arts program known as Rehabilitation Through the Arts (RTA). Divine G has carved out a place for himself as an acknowledged Shakespeare star but finds himself challenged by a wary newcomer known as Divine Eye (Clarence Maclin). This outstanding, moving, authentic human drama serves as a showcase for the talents of the Oscar-nominated Colman Domingo but also for this admirable, creative rehabilitation program, with a cast of formerly incarcerated actors who are alumni of the program.
The Rehabilitation Through the Arts program is one of several similar theater programs in prisons around the country, including Missouri, which serve as an outlet for people who are incarcerated and source of human insight and personal transformation and uplift for those in imprisoned. While other dramas set in institutions have cast non-actor residents in smaller supporting roles, SING SING takes that a step further, filling nearly every role in this film, based on a true story, with alumni of this very prison performing arts program, starting with Colman Domingo’s co-star Clarence Maclin, who essentially plays himself in the film.
Unlike many prison dramas, the focus in this film is on the humanity of these men, not on the crime or circumstances that led to their imprisonment. Director/writer Greg Kwedar and co-writer/producer Clint Bentley based the script on an Esquire article, “The Sing Sing Follies” by John H. Richardson about a time-travel comedy written and performed by the men at Sing Sing called “Breakin’ the Mummy’s Code.” Formerly incarcerated RTA actors Clarence Maclin and John “Divine G” Whitfield also contributed to the script, for which they are credited in the film. Another key aide in making the film was Brent Buell, a playwright, actor and theater director, who volunteered with the RTA program at Sing Sing for more than 10 years and who also wrote and directed “Breakin’ the Mummy’s Code.” Buell is portrayed in the film by actor Paul Raci. Sean San José is another professional actor in the cast, playing Divine G’s best friend Mike Mike, who happens to be a close friend of Colman Domingo in real life, making a nice parallel.
Colman Domingo, who earned a well-deserved Oscar nomination for his lead role in the Civil Rights era drama RUSTIN, gets to show off even more of his considerable acting range in this impressive film. Playing a man in prison who is playing various acting roles lets Domingo give us a sampling of his skills that includes snippets of Shakespeare and more. The story arc of Domingo’s character Divine G is a roller coaster ride that delves into the depths of human nature, which the actor uses to deliver another finely-crafted, emotionally-gripping performance.
As the film opens, Domingo’s Divine G has made good use of this time, using the prison’s law library to research legal challenges in his own case but to also help other prisoners with theirs. He has also spent his time writing, both plays and a book, which has found a following with prison populations. He offers his legal expertise to the newcomer as well but Divine Eye holds himself aloof and turns the offer of help aside. The wary Divine Eye seems an unlikely candidate for this program, a prison yard tough guy who is a true loner, selling drugs and bullying “weaker” men into paying him money. Yet, Divine Eye has become bored with his prison yard scams and is looking for something else to occupy his mind.
Domingo is so good in his role, demonstrating his remarkable range, that he could carry the film on his own. But the story’s focus on this worthy program and on the humanity of these real people within prison walls is moving, insightful and uplifting, without striking any note of false sentiment. The course of the true story is not entirely unexpected but the performances around it lift is into a realm of raw human emotion, with people struggling to finding a kind of freedom within the prison’s confines
Filmed on location at Sing Sing, cinematographer Pat Scola focuses less on the expected prison interiors and more on the natural world outside the prison walls, and manages to capture an unexpected beauty in its natural surroundings. We get lush, green shots of views of the trees seen through a small window, the river and grassy bank that surround this prison on the Hudson river, and the lonely, strangely imposing railway that runs along side the institution. Inside, we see the common room where the RTA participants rehearse and brainstorm their play, and the theater. more than the usual bars and doors, although we also see the cramped little cells the men occupy. Transforming this institutional setting into something visually striking, even beautiful, echoes the transformation taking place within those participating in the theater arts program.
Director Greg Kwedar and co-writer Clint Bentley are producing, writing and directing partners whose films focus on human connections in unlikely, even impossible situations. Their previous film JOCKEY, starred Clifton Collins Jr., taking viewers behind the scenes of a horse racing track in a tale of an aging jockey, another film that cast some non-actors who were actually part of that world and featured an emotionally powerful performance. That drama also highlights the filmmakers’ commitment to top-notch acting in insightful human storytelling, which again is at the forefront in SING SING.
SING SING’s story is both individual and universal in its human focus, on humanity’s struggles, for both self-expression and human connection. The disappointments of life, the resiliency of the human spirit, the power of friendship, and the uplift of art and hope are all portrayed in both powerful and realistic ways.
SING SING sings as an electrifying drama about the transformative potential of art, the resilience of the human spirit and the power of human connection, which also throws a deserving spotlight on the talents of Colman Domingo and on the value of prison performing arts programs like RTA.
SING SING opens Friday, Aug. 16, in theaters.
RATING: 4 out of 4 stars
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