Sing Sing is a prison drama based on the real life Rehabilitation Through the Arts program at Sing Sing Maximum Security Prison in New York City. It follows a group of incarcerated men in the drama program and the theatrical performances they create.
The film stars professional actors: Colman Domingo, Sean San José and Paul Raci, and many real-life formerly incarcerated men, playing fictionalized versions of themselves. Alumni of the program during their incarceration, including: Clarence "Divine Eye" Maclin and Jon-Adrian "JJ" Velazquez.
Academy Award nominated (for best actor) Colman Domingo is electric as John "Divine G" Whitfield. Witness his third act speech to his rival, a superb “Divine Eye”, as prison life finally starts to get the better of Whitfeld (having remained strong for far too long.) This speech elevates the movie with absolutely jaw-dropping acting.
Sing Sing is entertaining with well written / believable dialogue, but perhaps it doesn't sing as high as it should. It's a little plodding (aka slow paced), with over-familiar prison movie cliches and limited re-watch value (it feels longer than it is), but thanks to excellent performances, it just about wins you over.
The end credits feature real life dramatic and comedic performances from the program.
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DIRECTED BY: Greg Kwedar. SCREENPLAY BY: Clint Bentley, Greg Kwedar. BASED ON:"The Sing Sing Follies" by John H. Richardson, Breakin' the Mummy's Code by Brent Buell. RUNNING TIME: 105 minutes. CERTIFICATE: 15 / R. USA.
