‘Sing Sing’ Reviews: Film “laminates its dramatic license with a layer of authentic courage”

Photo by John Moeses Baun on Unsplash

        On August 2, 2024, A24 releases ‘Sing Sing’, which has received rave reviews, holding fresh at 97% on Rotten Tomatoes alongside a Critics Consensus that reads, “A moving celebration of art's redemptive power, Sing Sing draws its estimable emotional resonance from a never better Colman Domingo and equally impressive ensemble players.” In the film, a falsely imprisoned man at the title prison rediscovers his purpose and joy when he joins an acting troupe. The ensemble cast includes Colman Domingo, Clarence Maclin, Paul Raci, and Sean San José. Read the full review round-up below.

Tom Gliatto of People Magazine writes, “Sing Sing isn’t what you’d call a feel-good movie — it’s inspirational and moving, but it also carefully avoids the sort of easy emotional upsurge that might encourage you to cheer. Directed by Greg Kwedar with a quiet firmness, it understands all too well the difference between a liberated imagination and the actual physical freedom that beckons beyond the prison walls.”

Rachel LaBonte of Screen Rant says, “Led by a stunning Colman Domingo, Sing Sing is the perfect example of how art can heal, and how a person may not be what they seem on the surface.” Continuing, “Adding to the overall impact of the movie is its cast, which is largely comprised of actual members of RTA playing themselves. Maclin is the most prominent, and the passion he shows in telling his own story is inspiring. His easy chemistry with Domingo makes the relationship between the Divines soar, and Clarence's evolution is a genuine highlight. Every member of the Sing Sing cast is exemplary, but I was especially moved by Sean "Dino" Johnson, who is often found rehearsing his lines to himself. His quiet dedication to the program, and the way Johnson played it, hit hard.”

Barry Hertz of Globe and Mail praises the film, stating, “This is as big, immersive and knock-down-drag-out impressive a vehicle as any leading performer could possibly hope for. And Domingo makes an absolute five-course meal out of it.”

Don Shanahan of Every Movie Has a Lesson notes, “Sing Sing laminates its dramatic license with a layer of authentic courage. We’re watching formerly incarcerated men relive experiences with invigorated pronouncement. By sharing them with the world now, their honor and liberation are multiplied.” Adding, “ing Sing recounts one theatrical season of the RTA program. They have just finished Shakespeare’s A Midsummer Night’s Dream and Brett Buell is spurring the group to recruit new members and brainstorm what to perform next. The unofficial leaders of the troupe are John “Divine G” Whitfield (Domingo), a prolific amateur playwright who always has a script or two waiting in the wings, and his cell neighbor Mike Mike (Campo Santo co-founder Sean San José). The only new blood they find is a boss-of-the-yard rough customer named Clarence “Divine Eye” Maclin (playing himself), who’s looking at the RTA as a way to get out of other work duties. The arrival of Divine Eye initially jostles the usual copasetic climate of the RTA team fostered by Brett. His blunt and barbed suggestions to do something funnier than The Bard take hold in the group, much to the dismay of the normally serious Divine G. After collecting and settling on ideas, Buell pens the original time travel comedy Breakin’ The Mummy’s Code, a kitchen sink collection of zany characters from Ancient Egypt to Prince Hamlet and Freddy Krueger. As Sing Sing progresses, the men “trust the process” to hone their roles from script to rehearsal. All the while, this film is still bound to its prison setting of cell inspections, yard time, safety drills, lineups, and rotating clemency hearings.”