REVIEW: SING SING

5/5

Beloved One

105 Mins. Starring: Colman Domingo, Clarence "Divine Eye" Maclin, Sean San José, David "Dap" Giraudy, Patrick "Preme" Griffin, Mosi Eagle, James "Big E" Williams, Sean "Dino" Johnson, Dario Peña, Miguel Valentin, Jon-Adrian "JJ" Velazquez, Pedro Cotto, Camillo "Carmine" Lovacco, Cornell "Nate" Alston & Paul Raci. Screenplay: Clint Bentley & Greg Kwedar. Director: Greg Kwedar. In: Theatres.

Dearly beloved, when we gather in cinema, it does something to us. The soothing solitude in these dark rooms takes us away from all our troubles and the ills of the word, and believe me there are many, if only for a few hours of brief respite. We already knew what it was like during corona. Without this love, and maybe the one you hold close as you experience the whole thing together, we'd surely go crazy. Yet these are the first world problems of a privileged society. In prison, there literally is no escape from the three walls and bars that pen men, some innocent, in. Yet there are all sorts of prison breaks. Think what you will about those sentenced to incarceration, but there needs to be an outlet other than the violence and anger that breeds in these grounds. Otherwise, what are we exactly rehabilitating? That's where the RTA (Rehabilitation Through The Arts) program comes into play. The one and their light-hearted dramedy play of 'Breakin' The Mummy's Code' by Brent Buell (alongside John H. Richardson's 'The Sing Sing Follies') that 'Sing Sing' is based on. Time travelling through the wild west with Egyptians and even Freddy Kreuger.

No, this movie from 'Transpecos' director Greg Kwedar (who also, alongside Clint Bentley scored an Academy Award For Best Adapted Screenplay Oscar nomination) is not about a singing elephant...although they do mention consuming a whole one. 'Sing Sing' concerns the most infamous American prison referenced in rap more than anything outside the rock of Rikers Island. The maximum security prison holds more than men who have done wrong, or been wrongly accused. It also houses artists, free thinkers, husbands, brothers, sons and men. Another A24 classic, and perhaps the best one, 'Sing Sing' is not really like the "further filming" of the Stephen King adapted 'The Shawshank Redemption' and 'The Green Mile' (although it does share a brotherly bond with both), it might just be better than both of those 90s icons. After his Academy nomination for 'Rustin', to go along with his redemptive role in the classic adaptation of 'The Color Purple', the 'Euphoria' of one of the best actors working today, Colman Domingo ('The Butler', 'If Beale Street Could Talk', 'Ma Rainey's Black Bottom'), hasn't dimmed (how could it?) with 'Sing Sing'. As a matter of fact, this might just be the spotlight of his compelling career, from 'Selma', to the Batcave of a voiced Bruce Wayne. And just wait until he delivers some Shakespeare. The crown is his.

Yet, he's wiling to share his throne like these actors, the equity of their salary. And not just with breakout best friend Sean San José (their cell to cell conversations echo Adam Sandler and Chris Rock's in 'The Longest Yard' remake) and legendary theatre director Paul Raci ('Sound Of Metal'), both heartbreaking and healing. Tears and laughter. There are actually inmates here from the theatrical program that give more than realism to the rawness of this movie as they play themselves. David "Dap" Giraudy, Patrick "Preme" Griffin, Mosi Eagle, James "Big E" Williams, Sean "Dino" Johnson, Dario Peña, Miguel Valentin, Jon-Adrian "JJ" Velazquez, Pedro Cotto, Camillo "Carmine" Lovacco, Cornell "Nate" Alston. They all deserve credit for the depth and humanity they bring to their powerful performances. So much so, we could have seen the first award presented in a cell. And that's not a cheap shot and trick joke...it would have been well deserved. For each and every one of these real actors that have already taken the stage and held their own as an epic ensemble. No more, though, than Clarence "Divine Eye" Maclin, whose name Colman's character, Divine G, is shared with in tribute. Dolmingo, may as well be that Divine, Maclin has taken everything else. His paper. His spot. His terrific turn at Hamlet that will even make The Bard blush...with envy.

The best Shakespeare you'll see outside of London's Globe Theatre in the British summers that need to be added to your bucket list...no matter how much it rains. Iconic, all the way down to the promotional poster art, 'Sing Sing', made for just 2 mill, and taking 5, is a five star certified classic. Domingo deserves his nomination for expressing ever emotion, as hope turns to hurt and back again for these incarcerated scarfaces looking to at least fly away in their minds eye, for some powerful visual moments, breaking the fourth wall and boring right into your soul. Yet Clarence is the most compelling in this slice of real life based on a far too true story. "Are you acting now?" That's a question that will break your heart. Yet nothing is realer than the true Divine Eye, who is looking for even more. Clarence Maclin (the forthcoming 'In Starland' star), is now a free man who now, as well as an actor, works as a youth counsellor, creative arts specialist, and gang intervention specialist. Roles which mean even more than this movie one...and this movie one means a lot. Echoing the 'Redemption' of Jamie Foxx giving us 'The Stan Tookie Williams Story' about the founder of the LA Crips gang, who reformed and was nominated for many a Nobel Peace Prize. Wanting to stay in jail and continue his work before he was executed (I love Arnie, but The Terminator should have saved him from the death penalty). Therapeutic and transformative. These men are more than their mistakes. Something 'Sing Sing' sings to the sky. TIM DAVID HARVEY.

Further Filming: 'Rustin', 'The Shawshank Redemption', 'Redemption: The Stan Tookie Williams Story'.