Sing Sing - Movie Review

Echoing its name, ‘Sing Sing’ is the account of Divine G portrayed by Colman Domingo in Sing Sing Correctional Facility wherein the hope of the main character is found through performance inside the prison. Focusing on a theater group named Rehabilitation through the Arts, the movie shows Divine G’s path to become who she was. This positive storyline, dealing with the notion of the internal and external self, a fight against destiny and searching for a chance to start a new life is running parallel with the group preparing for a drama comedy and tragedy performance. Such a play’s presence of Divine Eye, the unwilling actor who at first hated acting, makes the plot richer as both characters learn to accept themselves and their past.

’Sing Sing’ is an important message about redemption and human spirit. It deals with friendship, metamorphosis and the idea that art is eternal. It is dark and very compassionate at once – it gives an honest feel of the detailed life of the prison and the connection found in an act of art. The film speaks both, the tragedy and triumphs, in an articulate manner while also showcasing black American’s lives and the representation of the male-to-male companion, the movie captivates with all the drama and emotion that can stir hearts of the viewers.

Colman Domingo as Divine G gives such dimensions to the film that cannot be described in words but are felt by the heart the actor portrays so much authenticity and solicitude. His acting depicts despair but meaningful, vagabond searching for a chance to reclaim a respectable life. Clarence Maclin, cast as Domingo’s opponent as Divine Eye, is equally satisfactory in an equally characteristic change of acquiescence to the theatrical troupe. In addition to this, supported by the remarkable cast, including Sean San Jose and Paul Raci, the film looks and feels authentic, with a strong focus on growth and fraternal bond between characters.

Thus, ‘Sing Sing’ directed by Greg Kwedar is a powerful example of how the director is capable of telling a heart-wrenching human story in the context of a rather complicated society. Kwedar is also successful in telling the big picture alongside the small details but also telling the story of what life is like in prison while portraying the reality of redemption.

The music composed for this film increases its emotional quotient wherein the hope and despair can be explicitly felt. The music somewhat complements the feel of the characters and their growth as well as the emotional revelations present within the story and throughout the film.

The depiction of ‘Sing Sing’ and the prison in general shows its oppressive background to the inhabitants but follows their happier moments of hope and change as well. As for the director’s achievement, the visual perspective is worthy of the viewers’ attention, as it is possible to feel the spirit of both constraint and freedom as an artist.

The shot arrangement conveys the essence of Sing Sing Correctional Facility, from the dorms where the protagonists are located to the common areas like a prison canteen. The attention is provided to the atmosphere that marks the desolation of prison and the brightness of the theatre group.

The film does not overuse many effects but it puts focus to its story and characters. Employment of effects as in minimalistic selective application of effects accompany dramatic scenes without conditioning melodramatic impact on the tender story of ‘Sing Sing’.

The pace of the cutting in ‘Sing Sing’ lends itself well to the telling of both the story and the characters, who are not overshadowed by primacy of effects. The tropes between the moments of thriller and lighter notes also work seamlessly to consolidate the flow of the movie, while not compromising the feels.

Sing Sing is a very correctly timed movie that gives peoples enough amount of time to get into the character’s transformations. Contrary to a common tendency in thrillers to shift abruptly from tension to plain and brotherly mateyness, ‘Sing Sing’ never hurries character revelations and artistic musings. The dramatic performance successfully reflects such states as hope, despair and emotional experiences of prisoners, as well as the unity that fosters togetherness among prisoners stemming from bonding.

However, there are some elements in the subplots, namely conflicts with characters at the prison, personal, which appear oversimplified and are resolved too quickly in ‘Sing Sing.’ This can momentarily upset the emotional pacing, which the show does at the benefit of certain characters’ development. Some of these components could have been developed further on screen toEmpty, enhance their meanings. The storyline chosen touches the heart and combined with great casting and a good director contributes to the creation of a unique perspective on the great potential of humanity that art has in the moments of adversity. This film has a lingering message and brings into question the viewers’ thinking process and bringing into focus about the art’s power to incite and to heal even in the darkest of places.