Sing Sing (2023)

July 15, 2024 5:26 AM

Inmates at Sing Sing Correctional Facility find purpose and community through acting in a theatre group alongside other incarcerated men in this story of resilience, humanity, and the transformative power of art. Based on a true story. Most actors are formerly incarcerated men who participated in Rehabilitation Through the Arts. Also stars Colman Domingo. AP News: "'Sing Sing' screens at Sing Sing, in an emotional homecoming for its cast". NY Times Critic's Pick review by Lisa Kennedy.

Content note: the n-word is said once, I believe. Notably, does NOT have any scenes of assault.

posted by brainwane (3 comments total)

It doesn't have scenes of assault, but there are threats of it - slightly less than with Shawshank Redemption. Those two films would actually make for a really interesting double-feature, in fact; no one breaks out of prison in Sing Sing, but there's definitely an emotional payoff and rekindling-of-hope.

I scored a ticket to an advance screening in NYC last week; it weirdly felt like the first few minutes were a little slow to take off, but the scenes between Domingo and newcomer Clarence Maclin really take off. Maclin, among other main players in the cast, is a veteran of this very program and does amazingly well.

There's a scene they use a clip from in the trailer where Colman's character is at a parole hearing - that whole scene is just DEVASTATING, too.
posted by EmpressCallipygos at 11:31 AM on July 15, 2024 [1 favorite]

Finally got to see this in our independent theater here in Boise. I've been wanting to see it ever since I saw the theater months ago. It is just as beautiful and emotional and tragic and soulful as I had hoped it would be. Somehow it managed to convey deep messages without being maudlin or preachy. Scenes played out, nothing was rushed. Scenes felt fresh and even perhaps improvised but nothing was frivolous or extraneous. The film feels very lived in and authentic, yet there is a well-defined plot and clear narrative threads, and the conclusion felt a little odd at the time but made sense by the end. Really unique and lovely film.
posted by vverse23 at 6:13 PM on September 1, 2024 [1 favorite]

This was, hands down, the best movie I've seen this year.

It mentions the reality of prison, but most of the focus of the movie is on the humanity of the prisoners. It's the most life-affirming movie I've seen in a while. And the fact that it's based on a true story makes it doubly moving.

All the performances were pretty great- even though much of the cast weren't "professional" actors.

And Colman Domingo definitely deserves an oscar for this stunning performance.
posted by ishmael at 9:37 AM on September 11, 2024 [1 favorite]