Sing Sing

Last night I went to the Broadway for Sing Sing, a movie that I have been anticipating for months, and it absolutely delivered because I loved it!  It is about a group of men incarcerated in Sing Sing Maximum Security Prison who participate in a real-life theatre program operated by Rehabilitation Through the Arts (RTA) and the cast features many formerly incarcerated men who are alumni of the program.  The narrative alternates between the brutal realities of living behind bars with scenes of guards roughing up inmates and tossing cells and the chance to escape from those realities for a few hours with scenes showing the men participating in acting exercises and rehearsals for performances. The dialogue is very authentic as the men work through how their life experiences inform their characters and how their characters allow them to express feelings that have been repressed.  It is incredibly powerful, especially when one of the men says that this program allows him to be human again.  I especially loved the relationship between John "Divine G" Whitfield (Colman Domingo) and Clarence "Divine Eye" Maclin (Himself).  Divine G feels very protective of the group and is initially hesitant when Divine Eye joins because he is resistant to the process but he soon does whatever he can to help Divine Eye find success both on stage and in seeking parole.  Then, when Divine G suffers a setback and gives into despair, it is Divine Eye who helps him find his way back to the stage (the resolution between the two characters is so emotional that I was practically sobbing and I wasn't alone).  I also loved that it is Hamlet's soliloquy that helps Divine Eye express his emotions.  Domingo's brilliant performance absolutely blew me away, especially when the camera comes in close to show the subtle changes in his expression, and he should definitely be in the conversation for every Best Actor award.  Maclin is also very affecting as is Sean San Jose who plays Divine G's cellmate.  This is an incredibly moving depiction of the redemptive power of art and it is one of the best movies I've seen this year.  I highly recommend seeking it out.