Title: Sing Sing
MPA Rating: R
Director: Greg Kwedar
Starring: Colman Domingo, Clarence Maclin, Sean San Jose
Runtime: 1 hr 47 mins

What It Is: We follow Divine G (Domingo), a prisoner at Sing Sing serving time for a crime he didn’t commit. Like many inmates, he searches for meaning while enduring his sentence. He finds this purpose in an acting troupe based in the prison, which allows him to write plays, perform, and express himself in a unique and creative way. Along with other inmates, he looks within and discovers that they are more than their circumstances.

What We Think: Colman Domingo is absolutely incredible here. He may receive another under-the-radar Oscar nomination, much like he did last year for Rustin. His raw, gorgeous humanity is on full display. This film is a gut punch in the best possible way, doing a phenomenal job of humanizing the criminals at the heart of the narrative. I haven’t seen the previous work of director Greg Kwedar, who has primarily done shorts, but now I really want to. His approach brings the characters to life in a way that makes them feel real and approachable. It’s a beautiful thing.

Our Grade: B+, A beautiful film—highly emotional and inspirational, it makes you see the humanity in criminality. These men are layered and flawed. I love the use of real prisoners turned actors, many of whom were part of the same acting program in Sing Sing. It’s such an interesting choice by Kwedar, and I absolutely respect it. I liked this movie a lot. It’s truly inspirational and will make you feel something—always the mark of a well-made feature.Bring the tissues. It didn’t quite make me shed tears, but it came close. Of course, your experience may vary. This is a film that finds joy in sadness in a way few others have. A24 has done it yet again.