• Release year: 2023
• Director: Greg Kwedar.
• Producers: Clint Bentley, Greg Kwedar, and Monique Walton.
• Screenplay by: Clint Bentley and Greg Kwedar.
• Cinematography by: Pat Scola.
• Music by: Bryce Dessner.

Shotgun Commentary: heartwarming story about real rehabilitation opportunities in jail.

Review

Sing Sing follows a theatre group formed in a jail. The story has all sorts of highs and lows without any need for gore or needless unpleasantness. This gives you the chance to fully focus on the essence of the message: rehabilitation is possible, but jail time alone does not provide it.

It is refreshing to see a film that takes place in a prison and yet doesn’t fall into the regular cinematic standards of being a filthy, inhospitable place where revolting things happen. Sure, horrible things do take place in all prisons. Nevertheless, there has been an inordinate amount of content highlighting that already. Rather than following that grime-filtered rabbit hole, Sing Sing focuses on the true purpose of jail: rehabilitation.

The root of the problem

More often than not, criminals are made as a result of trauma or adverse situations. It is not a coincidence that so many people who live in poverty end up in jail. An issue that is not being acknowledged properly. The problem is not that someone steals food or sells drugs, the problem is that this person has not been able to find any other way to survive in society.

Far from addressing this issue, the people in power are making it worse by setting up the system to make rich people richer and poor people poorer. However, Sing Sing does not address the causes of landing in jail, other than with a subtle mention of generational influence. Instead, it focuses on a seemingly easier problem to solve, the future of the people who have already messed up their lives.

The real purpose of spending some time in prison is not to punish people, but to find out where they went wrong and how to fix it. Still, most penitentiary systems seem to have forgotten this. A memory loss that leads to a prison experience that brings out the worse in people, completely destroying those who are already at their worse, and making twisted people even crueller. The result of this is not rehabilitation. It is individuals coming out of jail with more trauma and worse behaviour than the one they brought in. Regardless of your perspective, there is no way to justify this system, as it simply doesn’t work.

A real solution

Sing Sing gives the spotlight to the RTAs, also known as Rehabilitation Through Art programmes. These focus on helping inmates face their trauma and experience the world around them differently. They help them to process the past and hope for a better future. Art is an incredibly helpful tool for those with difficulties expressing their feelings or tapping into their trauma. So, by giving inmates an artistic escape, you are providing a sort of therapy that works for anyone, regardless of how introspective or articulate they are.

As seen in the film, they create artistic communities where they help, trust and enjoy the company of each other. An environment where they don’t have to worry about being assaulted or hurt in any way. It is a real chance to become human in an environment where humanity is hard to come by. Programmes like this are paramount for true rehabilitation, much like libraries and the opportunity to study a career or courses. They are real chances for people who have lost all hope.

A master at work

Colman Domingo is absolutely brilliant as John “Divine G” Whitfield, but that is hardly news. If you were blown away by his performances on Rustin (2023) and The Color Purple (2023) last year, you won’t be surprised by his talent, but you will certainly be delighted to see that he has not let go of a single ounce of it.

His character is full of passion and, more importantly, compassion, offering all sorts of emotions that Domingo nails one right after the other. His performance makes an already relevant feature also become a masterclass in acting, one that is closely supported by the rest of the cast, all of which deliver wonderfully in their roles as themselves.

The irony of the patriarchy

There is also a very interesting topic that is scarcely mentioned, yet it looms over the whole narrative: toxic masculinity. It is brought up by Divine G when he talks about his dance background and how all the men in his neighbourhood would bully him because he danced. It is sad to think how little things have changed since Billy Elliot (2000) came out in terms of male behaviour.

Men should be allowed out of their toxic cage of invented masculinity, they should be allowed to breathe without worrying about what others might think of them. You don’t need to be Elvis to drive a pink car, and you don’t need to be Harry Styles to wear a skirt. If masculinity is equal to strength, living your life having to worry about others’ opinions is anything but.

Plus, what is wrong with pink, skirts, dancing or cocktails with tiny beach umbrellas? It reminds you of women because they are unafraid of using them? Well, what’s wrong with being a woman then? Do you hate them so much that you can’t even do anything they do? That’s about as logical as dyeing your hair black just because you don’t like Trump. If you haven’t thought of doing that as a form of rebellion against the convicted rapist, why do you denounce anything “feminine” like it’s the plague?

What gives?

Lastly, and on the subject of things that make no sense, can anyone please explain to me why songs that are only featured in the end credits of a movie can be nominated for anything? Were there not enough songs inside the actual movies this past year that the Academy Awards feel the need to nominate those that are not even inside the feature? Let the record show that “Like a Bird” is an absolutely gorgeous track that closes off the experience of Sing Sing beautifully. But that still doesn’t justify the nominating nonsense.

All in all, Sing Sing is an onion film. Each layer of meaning you peel away discovers another, all as crucial as the previous. The performances are wonderful, the story is fantastic, and the overall message is one that will stay with you for the foreseeable future.

Advice to take from this movie:

• Punishment leads nowhere. The whole point of prison is rehabilitation, and the judiciary system should act accordingly.
• Theatre can be a lot of fun.
• You never know when you’re living your last day. Might as well enjoy all of them.

What’s your take? Have you watched Sing Sing? Don’t hesitate to let me know your thoughts in the comments section below, or leave a message in my contact page! For more reviews and cinema-related articles, check out the rest of my blog! 😀