“Sing Sing ”Review: Colman Domingo Stars in a Powerful but Poignant Prison Drama

The true-life story about a theater troupe behind bars features a terrific ensemble of former inmates

In the space of less than a year, Colman Domingo has established himself as one of the most impressive actors in Hollywood.

First with his dynamic, Oscar-nominated turn as gay civil rights leader Bayard Rustin in Rustin (you know, he really should have won Best Actor), then as the malignant Mister in The Color Purple, and now as John “Divine G” Whitfield, a real-life former Sing Sing inmate who’s the heart, soul and even mind of the prison’s theater program.

As always, Domingo has a kingly presence and a voice of mellifluous richness — it seems to rumble all the way up from his toes and then vibrate in the air around him. There’s nothing stilted or mannered about him, but he projects an authority and an awareness of someone naturally at home on the stage.

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It's a quality that at times supplies an ironic undertone to Domingo's wonderful performance here. Divine G, the guiding spirit of the troupe, has the slightest air of superiority as he welcomes the other prisoners who join the newest production, a comedic mashup that has something to do with an Egyptian prince (he’s searching for his “Mummy”), A Nightmare on Elm Street villain Freddy Krueger and Hamlet, Prince of Denmark.

Whitfield, who at the beginning of the film is seen enjoying a triumphant moment in A Midsummer Night’s Dream, expects he’ll be the one to deliver the famous “to be or not to be” soliloquy, but instead he’s cast as a gladiator. The role of Hamlet goes to a new performer named Clarence “Divine Eye” Maclin.

Clarence Maclin happens to be the name of both character and actor: The cast of Sing Sing is filled with formerly incarcerated men who performed in the program, which is called Rehabilitation Through the Arts, or RTA.

Maclin creates something fresh and fine out of that soliloquy, in fact, and along with the other ex-inmates makes up one of the best ensemble casts you’ll likely see this year. (Sean “Dino” Johnson is especially good.)

Paul Raci (Sound of Metal) portrays the play’s writer and director Brent Buell, long hair framing his worn, sympathetic face like the ears of a dachshund.

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.

These men find new facets of themselves in acting, and they even forge new friendships, but when the show is over, they return alone to their cells.

Sing Sing is in select theaters now, then nationwide on Aug. 2.

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