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Written by: John H. Richardson (based on "The Sing Sing Follies"), Brent Buell (based on "Breakin' The Mummy's Code"), Clint Bentley & Greg Kwedar & Clarence Maclin & John Divine G Whitfield (story), Clint Bentley & Greg Kwedar (screenplay)
Directed by: Greg Kwedar
Starring: Colman Domingo, Clarence Maclin, Sean San Jose
Rated: R
Watch the trailer
Plot
Based on a true story, Divine G, imprisoned at Sing Sing for a crime he didn't commit, finds purpose by acting in a theatre group alongside other incarcerated men in this story of resilience, humanity, and the transformative power of art.
Verdict
This avoids sensationalism and past crimes, focusing solely on the theater group in the present. It's a way for these guys to cope with their situation, analyze their feelings, and find purpose. It's a simple concept, but it's also incredibly moving. Even when there's discord, the men have an emotional understanding and work through it. It's one of the few movies that looks at inmates as people rather than the two typical stereotypes of a psychopath or wrongly imprisoned.
Watch it.
Review
This is based on a true story. Maclin plays himself, and several actors are alumni of the Rehabilitation Through Arts program.
At Sing Sing maximum security prison, inmates put on dramatic performances. Divine G (Colman Domingo) writes and acts, one of the leaders of the program. It's intriguing to see inmates passionate about the dramatic arts. It's inspiring, going against the regressive stereotype that inmates wouldn't act. These guys have the confidence to chase it, but it's also something to pass the time as they imagine themselves in different worlds.
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| Colman Domingo plays Divine G |
The group is preparing for the next play, something Divine G has written. One of the new recruits would prefer a comedy while Diving G only writes drama. While he's irritated, he agrees to let the group decide. They pick a comedy. We watch the inmates audition. They're vulnerable, and it's also disarming. Seeing them pretend humanizes them, even more when they talk about their previous roles. That has to be weighed against the fact that they're in Sing Sing for a reason.
Divine G is the primary screen writer for the group and one of the best performers. He clashes with new recruit Divine Eye (Clarence Maclin). Divine Eye is hesitant to fully embrace the group. I wondered why he joined if he wasn't interested, but it may just be a way to pass the time. We see him grow and embrace the program, with he and Divine G becoming some version of friends.
As one of the inmates states, this program brings back humanity. It's a simple story that I expected to get into their crimes to add drama. It doesn't. We see these guys trying to make it through a difficult situation.
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