December 17, 2024
FILM: SING SING
DIRECTED BY: GREG KWEDAR
STARRING: COLMAN DOMINGO, CLARENCE MACLIN, SEAN SAN JOSE
RATING: 4 out of 4 stars
By Dan Pal
Sing Sing played at the Toronto International Film Festival in the Fall of 2023 earning raves, especially for the lead performance by Colman Domingo. It was released in theaters this past summer with little fanfare from audiences. Now, it sits quietly and deservedly as one of the top contenders for this year’s Oscars. It’s that good. We’ve seen many prison-set films over the last century but there’s something particularly special about this one. It’s based on a real-life theater program at the Sing Sing correctional facility in New York. Many of the actors in the film are former incarcerated men who went through the program. Most noteworthy is Clarence “Divine Eye” Maclin who essentially plays a version of himself. This is a deeply moving film which suggests that the arts can help in the rehabilitation process for inmates, which in turn is a recognition of the importance of the arts in general to help heal.
At the start of the film, John “Divine G” Whitfield, played by Domingo, appears as one of the theater program’s chief leaders. He’s performing on stage and soon after we see his helpful role as part of its steering committee. Paul Raci, Oscar-nominated for Sound of Metal a few years back, plays their director Brent. He guides them through acting exercises and meditation. As part of the program they get to express their thoughts and feelings. The most stoic, at least initially, is Maclin, who sits quietly observing the others talking about what plays they should put on next. It is his suggestion that the group does a comedy. As such, Brent writes a time travel play which incorporates all of their ideas and provides opportunities for each of the troupe’s members to play a meaty role.
What’s great about Sing Sing is that it doesn’t fall prey to the clichés typically associated with prison-centered stories. This one has heart as opposed to violent drama. It feels real and grounded in the human side of the process. There aren’t any big dramatic swings during the film but we do see character frustrations and, more importantly, change. Whitfield has a particular goal to get himself out of prison after possibly being wrongly accused of a very serious crime. As such, he has taken it upon himself to study law and become a highly involved contributor to the success of the theater program. His cell is filled with papers on the walls and looks somewhat cluttered with all of his work. Appearance-wise, he comes across as the intellectual inmate with his glasses and more sophisticated manner of expressing himself.
Maclin has a more intimidating presence as if he could lash out at any moment. He’s tough, angry, street-like, and has plenty of attitude. Yet, he’s committed to the work the guys are doing. Playing himself, the actor is subtle, using his eyes to express his thoughts. Maclin grows during the film and the actor nails every one of his scenes.
Colman Domingo gives one of his best performances as Whitfield. He’s also an expert at relaying the drive and frustrations associated with his character. Yet he’s also full of heart which reflects the general tone of the film. Likewise, Raci effectively plays the caring, patient director who listens and guides the men through the learning process.
Each of these actors inhabit director Greg Kwedar’s world here which suggests that a humanistic approach to reform is possible. The film also exposes the huge importance of the arts which is sadly underfunded and undervalued. This story is a testament to how we might calmly be able to change and affect people’s lives for the better using the arts. It’s very inspiring.
Sing Sing will be getting another theatrical release in the coming weeks as award season heats up.
FILM: SING SING
DIRECTED BY: GREG KWEDAR
STARRING: COLMAN DOMINGO, CLARENCE MACLIN, SEAN SAN JOSE
RATING: 4 out of 4 stars
By Dan Pal
Sing Sing played at the Toronto International Film Festival in the Fall of 2023 earning raves, especially for the lead performance by Colman Domingo. It was released in theaters this past summer with little fanfare from audiences. Now, it sits quietly and deservedly as one of the top contenders for this year’s Oscars. It’s that good. We’ve seen many prison-set films over the last century but there’s something particularly special about this one. It’s based on a real-life theater program at the Sing Sing correctional facility in New York. Many of the actors in the film are former incarcerated men who went through the program. Most noteworthy is Clarence “Divine Eye” Maclin who essentially plays a version of himself. This is a deeply moving film which suggests that the arts can help in the rehabilitation process for inmates, which in turn is a recognition of the importance of the arts in general to help heal.
At the start of the film, John “Divine G” Whitfield, played by Domingo, appears as one of the theater program’s chief leaders. He’s performing on stage and soon after we see his helpful role as part of its steering committee. Paul Raci, Oscar-nominated for Sound of Metal a few years back, plays their director Brent. He guides them through acting exercises and meditation. As part of the program they get to express their thoughts and feelings. The most stoic, at least initially, is Maclin, who sits quietly observing the others talking about what plays they should put on next. It is his suggestion that the group does a comedy. As such, Brent writes a time travel play which incorporates all of their ideas and provides opportunities for each of the troupe’s members to play a meaty role.
What’s great about Sing Sing is that it doesn’t fall prey to the clichés typically associated with prison-centered stories. This one has heart as opposed to violent drama. It feels real and grounded in the human side of the process. There aren’t any big dramatic swings during the film but we do see character frustrations and, more importantly, change. Whitfield has a particular goal to get himself out of prison after possibly being wrongly accused of a very serious crime. As such, he has taken it upon himself to study law and become a highly involved contributor to the success of the theater program. His cell is filled with papers on the walls and looks somewhat cluttered with all of his work. Appearance-wise, he comes across as the intellectual inmate with his glasses and more sophisticated manner of expressing himself.
Maclin has a more intimidating presence as if he could lash out at any moment. He’s tough, angry, street-like, and has plenty of attitude. Yet, he’s committed to the work the guys are doing. Playing himself, the actor is subtle, using his eyes to express his thoughts. Maclin grows during the film and the actor nails every one of his scenes.
Colman Domingo gives one of his best performances as Whitfield. He’s also an expert at relaying the drive and frustrations associated with his character. Yet he’s also full of heart which reflects the general tone of the film. Likewise, Raci effectively plays the caring, patient director who listens and guides the men through the learning process.
Each of these actors inhabit director Greg Kwedar’s world here which suggests that a humanistic approach to reform is possible. The film also exposes the huge importance of the arts which is sadly underfunded and undervalued. This story is a testament to how we might calmly be able to change and affect people’s lives for the better using the arts. It’s very inspiring.
Sing Sing will be getting another theatrical release in the coming weeks as award season heats up.