Sing Sing hits all the right cinematic notes

Colman Domingo, an Academy Award nominee, continues to showcase his exceptional talent, building on his compelling performances in “Rustin” and “The Color Purple” from the previous year. His most recent project, “Sing Sing,” a production of A24, is directed by Greg Kwedar and co-written by Clint Bentley. The film draws inspiration from “The Sing Sing Follies” by John H. Richardson and “Breaking The Mummy’s Code” by Brent Buell.

“Sing Sing” is deeply rooted in the real-life Rehabilitation Through the Arts program at Sing Sing Maximum Security Prison. It revolves around Divine G (portrayed by Colman Domingo), who is wrongfully incarcerated at Sing Sing and finds purpose through participation in director Brent Buell’s theater group alongside other imprisoned men. The group also features real-life formerly incarcerated males portraying themselves, adding a layer of authenticity to the film. The arrival of a wary newcomer, “Clarence “Divine Eye” Maclin, portrayed by himself, challenges the group dynamics.

From the moment the opening credits rolled on “Sing Sing,” one of my favorite Aristotle quotes came to mind: “The aim of art is to represent not the outward appearance of things, but their inward significance.” While “Sing Sing” takes place in a prison, the narrative structure never goes full on “Shawshank” or “Oz.” Instead, director Greg Kwedar and his talented cast tap into finding the silver lining no matter how dire your situation currently is.

Domingo leads the cast in a performance (that will surely put him in awards talks). Naturally, we all know that Domingo can deliver a powerful monologue, but there are moments in “Sing Sing” where the actor takes us on a journey of confidence and anguish with this eye. One of the best moments in the film occurs for his character during a parole hearing, and Domingo knocks it out of the park. Additionally, the other actors, including Sean San José and Paul Raci, more than hold their own.

The real-life gentlemen who portray the formerly incarcerated versions of themselves also bring remarkable realism to their roles. The script astutely avoids delving into specifics or presenting flashbacks that reveal the reasons behind their incarceration. That said, the supporting acting MVP of the film is  Clarence “Divine Eye” Maclin. Initially, his character appears to be a villain, but with a natural charisma, he reveals layers to his persona. I’ll be shocked if the studio doesn’t push Maclin for a Best Supporting Actor nod come award season. He has a beautiful moment where he mentions shifting their play from drama to comedy to the other inmates. While the play is titled “Breakin’ the Mummy’s Code,” I won’t go into specifics about the plot other than saying it’s a blend of numerous genres that somehow just works.

I want to inform potential viewers that the film has a deliberately slow pace, which may turn off some mainstream filmgoers. However, those who stick with the film will easily experience one of the year’s best films.

Final Grade: A

“Sing Sing” is currently in limited release and expands this Friday, August 2nd.