A One Mann’s Movies review of “Sing Sing” (2024).
“Sing Sing” is one that came out as a limited release in cinemas in the summer that I missed, but it has been near the top of my watchlist ever since. Now, prompted by my Oscar-completism target, I watched it on Prime Video as a rental. And I certainly wasn’t disappointed. It is a veritable masterpiece of the genre.
Bob the Movie Man Rating:
“Sing Sing” Plot Summary:
John Divine G Whitfield (Colman Domingo) is serving a long sentence in the notorious New York State prison called Sing Sing for a crime he claims he didn’t commit. But during that time he founded a theatre society to help inmates work through their issues through performance. But when a talented but aggressive ex-gangster, Clarence Maclin (playing himself), joins the troupe, he finds his authority and his position in the troupe challenged.
Certification:
UK: 15; US: R. (From the BBFC web site: “Strong language”.)
Talent:
Starring: Colman Domingo, Clarence Maclin, Sean San Jose, Paul Raci.
Directed by: Greg Kwedar.
Written by: Clint Bentley & Greg Kwedar. (Based on a story by Clint Bentley, Greg Kwedar, Clarence Maclin & John Divine G Whitfield and the written works of John H. Richardson & Brent Buell).
Running Time: 1h 47m.
“Sing Sing” Summary:
Positives:
- A film with a fine story arc that takes you through highs and lows but which is ultimately a feelgood classic.
- Domingo and newcomer Maclin both deliver perfect, naturalistic performances and both deserve their Oscar success. Raci is also – as per normal – really great.
- The ‘amateurs’ in the cast are really good.
- The end-title song, “Fly Like a Bird”, is good.
Negatives:
- I would have liked to have a little clearer idea of Whitfield’s previous background and aptitude for theatre.
Review of “Sing Sing”:
A great story.
I was aware of this film having a lot of advocacy from those who had seen it (some naming it their film of the year from last year). And I can understand that now. I think (like “The Shawshank Redemption”, another classic prison film that only achieved cult status long after its initial release) “Sing Sing” will be one of those films that comes to free streaming and/or TV broadcast and makes people go “Wowee.. why haven’t I seen THIS before”! The story, although having some dark moments, is ultimately really feelgood. There is something ultimately uplifting and encouraging seeing troubled men emerge from their legacy of violence and hate and finding brotherhood and, more importantly, a different mindset through performance art.
Maclin’s is quite a story.
The fact that this film is based on real events – in fact, the time inside Sing Sing of Whitfield and Maclin – makes the story extremely moving. Clarence Maclin in particular has an amazing arc, going from how we see him inside prison to a seat at the Oscars and the BAFTAs (with his involvement in the Best Adapted Screenplay nomination). He’s also received a range of Best Supporting Actor nominations in other awards, including for the Critics Choice Awards. Much the same (without the acting accolades) can be said about John Divine G Whitfield who is also a co-writer.
Maclin is really good acting as himself. Certainly, his rendition of Hamlet’s soliloquy – and indeed, that of Colman Domingo as well – makes Adam Driver’s epic fail in “Megalopolis” look even more lame!).
Domingo and Raci.
Elsewhere, Colman Domingo is brilliant in the lead role and well deserves his place in the “Actor in a Leading Role” nominations, even though this year (and despite the recent SAG awards surprise) I think its still sewn on for Adrien Brody.
Paul Raci, as the ‘coach’ of the acting troupe, also delivers a quietly powerful performance. In real life, that much be a hell of a difficult and challenging job to do, but Raci looks as if he might be doing it himself, with calmness and compassion.
Talented inmates.
Rehabilitation Through the Arts (RTA) is a real organisation doing great work in prisons like Sing Sing and what stands out during the end titles of the film is the number of inmates (and presumably recipients of the organisation’s help) that are playing themselves in the film. It is a credit to their performng capbilities that most of the time it is difficult to tell who are the professional actors and who are the inmates. Everything is deliciously natural and unforced. I also assume that some of their stories during the ’round circle’ meditations are genuinely their own ‘perfect places’ and ‘person they want to meet again’, and not scripted for them.
In a neat thing I read online, the ‘auditions’ that you see the inmates perform near the start of the film are their actual audition tapes used to cast them in the movie!
Song
In a fairly woeful bunch of Oscar nominated songs this year, “Fly Like a Bird” (by Abraham Alexander & Adrian Quesada) that plays over the end titles is tuneful and catchy. I still haven’t listened to all of the songs yet to form an opinion, but this one might be high up in my consideration.
Backstory… and Frontstory!
I really have very few criticisms of this film. My ‘issue’ is more one of curiosity. I’d like to have known more about the backstory of Whitfield. Did he have a professional theatre background before he went inside? How did he become a published author (he is presented with a dog-eared copy of his book to sign.)? I’m also really curious about what happens to him after the film has wrapped: …..
…
…
SLIGHT SPOILER
…
…
…how he returns to his life and reintegrates with his family. (You can read more on the background to Whitfield and Maclin at this RTA site page here).
For me, there seems to be almost a ‘wrap-around’ film to be made about Whitfield that tops and tails the events of “Sing Sing”. (It would be tempting to call that “Sing Sing 2″…. just to further confuse IMDB browsers… we would have a “Sing”, a “Sing Sing”, a “Sing 2” a “Sing Sing 2”, and a “Sing 3”, LOL!)
Summary Thoughts on “Sing Sing”
What a great film. One that if I’d seen it would have almost certainly gained a place in my Top 10 list from last year. One for you to really enjoy discovering, if you’ve not seen it already.
Where to Watch it (Powered by Justwatch)
Trailer for “Sing Sing”:
The trailer is here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=j3dXc6P3zH8.
Subscribe
Don’t forget, you can subscribe to One Mann’s Movies to receive future reviews by email right here. No salesman will call!
