The three-time Oscar-nominated film “Sing Sing” has finally hit home viewing this week. It is a true story about a man incarcerated at Ossining Correctional Facility (Sing Sing) although innocent, and his emotional rehab through the prison’s theater program. This is one of the more heartwarming, feel-good films of 2024 and provides a very authentic inside look at Sing Sing’s “Rehabilitation Through the Arts” (RTA) – a program that is very much real and a place where those imprisoned find solace, happiness and hope.
“Sing Sing” (2024) Review: Three-Time Oscar Nominee Hits Home Streaming
Facts About the Film
Before we get into an actual review of yet another A24 Studios success, I’d like to point out some facts about this work. This is a 100% true story and might be one of the most authentic, humanizing and tragic stories I’ve witnessed. Most of this film’s cast are former inmates playing themselves on screen. That alone speaks volumes about what this film meant to director Greg Kwedar. Imagine finally serving your time in prison, gaining your freedom and then going back to the place that held you captive to play yourself in a motion picture. The amount of emotion that must’ve gone through these men’s heads and hearts is astounding. It shows. It’s a very well-acted film all around from the former inmates.
Carried by Colman Domingo & Clarence Maclin
Then you bring in a man like Colman Domingo, who plays “John ‘Divine G’ Whitfield,” who is wrongfully incarcerated and has fully latched onto the RTA program. Domingo displays through every ounce of him what this program means to his character. It’s more than rehab; it’s a massive healing process. Throughout the film you constantly see parts of the prison system try to break him down, but he always has RTA to bring him back up again. Not only that, but he helps his inmates with this same issue. It’s a fabulous performance, and Domingo deserves his “Best Actor” Oscar nomination.
“Sing Sing” might also harbor the year’s breakout performance within its walls. Clarence Maclin, who plays himself, nearly goes hit for hit with Domingo in his supporting performance. He’s a very raw, angry and torn individual. There is so much pain left in this man’s eyes and so much more resentment and anger flowing through his veins that you can’t help but feel terrible for him. It’s a beautiful performance, and if this man ever becomes a full-time actor, I’ll be in line to watch his art.
Slower Burn
The pacing of this film is where many will find boredom and wish for more to happen. I might be a bit guilty of that. This is completely dialogue-steered and executed. However, it is fine; the dialogue is spectacular, hence the “Best Adapted Screenplay” Oscar nomination. Still, I did feel a bit stagnant at times. It didn’t push through like I had imagined. Pieces of this art felt bent or missing, but it’s not to take away from its beauty because it truly is art in its truest form.
A24 Continues To Reign Supreme
All-natural lighting and A24’s signature grainy old film reel editing help the environment of “Sing Sing.” It feels like you’re there in prison with these men. It also breaches the emotion of this film. Seeing what they lived in, saw and felt is pretty neat. Its rawness and authenticity are true to itself for a movie that only took 18 days to film.
This is a true story about how the art of theater can heal you in the worst of times and is a beautiful, slow burn. It’s a dialogue-driven film that is important to watch and one that gives you a completely different perspective on what happens in some of these prisons. “Sing Sing” is a well-acted film from people who don’t act. They’re reliving their time at the prison to show you how important it is to find something that gives you hope, and no matter how bad life gets, there is always a light that can be found.
“Brother, we’re here to become human again, to put on nice clothes and dance around and enjoy the things that are not in our reality.” – Sean Johnson
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