Movie Review: Sing Sing

Based on a true story, “Sing Sing” follows prisoners that join the RTA program. This allows them to “escape” their life behind bars by letting them act out their emotions onstage.

One thing I was struck by about this film was its hopefulness. People behind bars might struggle with their past actions, their current situation, and their futures. This program gives them an opportunity to explore their artistic side. It could’ve easily relied on sentimentality or cheap tricks, but this film is much deeper than that. Each inmate must find some hope in themselves in order to keep living, whether or not they’ll ever have a chance of getting out. The movie teeters on the edge of sugar-coating its message, but ends up having something profound to say about art in general.

I was struck by how much you see the characters smiling, laughing, and enjoying themselves. It sounds strange to say, but most prison films love to show you the dark side. They rarely give a chance to build out real people that are complicated, emotional, and ultimately human. This movie still has plenty of sorrow surrounding it, but it’s modulated with scenes of pure joy. You get to watch the prisoners acting out scenes and rehearsing their roles. Once again, the movie avoids turning these into empty montages that feel like a parody of an indie film. It ends up earning just about every sincere moment.

The cast is the standout of this film. Colman Domingo heads up an impressive ensemble, with many of the roles played by real men that went through the RTA program. Other movies might’ve stunt casted the actual people for effect, but these performers are all worthy of being singled out. They bring authenticity and heart to a story about the power art.

Does making art matter? This movie engages with the theory that being artistic allows us to access our deepest emotions, express ourselves, and remind each other of the joys of creation. It ultimately succeeds in showing that there’s potential in every person, with art providing one avenue towards personal redemption. This movie provides a compelling look at troubled men eager to show how much they have to give. A much lesser movie would have demonized them, short-changed them, or hidden behind a shallow analysis of their humanity. “Sing Sing” is much more than that.