I’ve known about A24’s latest film Sing Sing for many months now. It first came upon my radar as I was on vacation visiting my parents in Tennessee in late April when I was offered the opportunity to see the film and for the first time. That began a flurry of invites to see the film over the next few months, and each time I was unable to attend showings. It was as if this film was eluding me, or I it.
I figured I would be able to see it when it finally released in theaters. But even at my local theater, it was only playing at limited times and for such a short run that I wasn’t able to see it for quite a while afterwards. But after months of anticipation and hype upon this film, I finally saw Sing Sing with high expectations.
It blew me, and my expectations, out of the water.
Sing Sing tells the story of Divine G (Colman Domingo in a career-best role), a prisoner at the Sing Sing Correctional Facility. Divine G, falsely imprisoned, is a member of the “Rehabilitation Through The Arts” program along with other inmates as they learn and grow through acting. When a new member to the program, Divine Eye (Clarence Maclin), shakes things up, G and the other members must adapt and grow through the program.
What’s incredible about this movie is that it crafts a story that anyone can truly care about. The script is airtight and delivers on a multitude of emotional levels. I found myself at various points shedding tears of heartbreak and joy. A huge amount of credit has to go to writer/director Greg Kweder. He was able to get so much out of an incredible script onto the screen. He made it clear that, even though these people are criminals, they are people first. With that perspective it allows the audience to connect even deeper to the characters.
But the true superstars here are in the cast. Colman Domingo gives a transcendent performance as Divine G, a man who has repeatedly been broken down by the system only to inspire hope in himself and others. Domingo captures so much life in his performance that you believe it’s real. There’s a lifetime of experienced lived in his eyes and expressions. I felt it even though I don’t have the slightest idea what that life is like.
But behind Domingo’s Oscar-worthy performance is where Sing Sing elevates to the next level. The rest of the cast, besides Paul Raci, are real former prisoners at Sing Sing and members of the real Rehabilitation Through the Arts program. Each play versions of themselves in prison and they absolutely shine. Clarence Maclin especially was so incredible especially. Like Domingo, he is able to capture an entire life in just the subtle nuances of how someone in that life would be. At first, Maclin’s Divine Eye is cold and hard. He seemingly only wants to join the program to be able to act alongside women. He’s averse to the activities the group undertake. He auditions for the same part Divine G is going for if only to establish dominance.
But as the film progresses, Divine Eye softens his harsh take on life and grows. There’s a true humanity captured in his performance that is hard for even the best actors in the world.
That’s the true success of Sing Sing. Forget how how heart-warming and captivating the story is. It’s the performances that really drive it. By the end of the film, all you can do is sit back, smile, shed a tear or two and appreciate the humanity of it all.
Final Thoughts
There’s so much to love about Sing Sing. It’s easily one of my favorite films of 2024. It has, across the board, one of the best cast performances of any film this year. There’s a heartfelt story that’s effortlessly relatable. At the end of the day, I have no doubt that anyone who has the pleasure of seeing the film will come away happy to have seen it. I am eager now to see how it fares come awards season.