“We’re here to become human again.”
“Sing Sing” tells the true story of a theater program inside a maximum security prison. The film focuses on the perspective of John “Divine G” Whitfield, who is imprisoned for a crime he did not commit. Divine G is played by recent Academy Award nominee Colman Domingo.
In the film, Divine G is challenged by a newcomer in the program, Clarence “Divine Eye” Maclin. Having no acting experience, Divine G is intimidated when Maclin beats him out of the lead role in the trope’s new play.
The film features many characters, with most being played by the person they are based on. Maclin, Sean Dino Johnson and others all play themselves, portraying their story.
Filmed on 16-millimeter film, the picture appears grainy and more colorful. Cinematographer Pat Scola often combines the clashing colors of deep blue and orange in the film. Additionally, he uses the prisoners’ green jumpsuits and the white-painted brick walls to accentuate the emptiness of the prison.
At the start of the film, Domingo recites a rendition of Macbeth. Lost in the text of Shakespeare, he looks to the camera. In that monologue, he finds himself in the character. Once the cast takes their bows, they change back into their jumpsuits and head back to Sing Sing Correctional Facility.
The sequence of an “ordinary” day in the life of a prisoner at Sing Sing is accompanied by Bryce Dessner’s heartbreaking score. The song, titled “Sing Sing,” played with a violin, sounds like cries and encompasses a spirit battered into submission. In the sequence, prisoners line up for roll call. Some are yelled at by guards, others silent in fear of speaking.
Throughout the length of the film, Divine Eye becomes torn between what role he must play. When he is first approached for the program, he has just gotten off of a drug deal. Questioned by Divine G and Mike Mike, Eye must demonstrate his knowledge of theater while also playing it cool.
Paraphrasing King Lear he says, “I mean what did that brother say? ‘When we are born, we cry because we are born to a stage of fools.’”
Divine G finds himself shocked, which speaks to the level of a facade Eye must put on to survive.
Senior chemistry major Heather Smith saw the film recently. Having no knowledge of the film before, she saw it with friends.
“[Her friend] gave us a hint that all of the actors were played by themselves except for two people. I was already excited because that was something I had never seen before,” Smith said. “I expected high quality things because it was also A24.”
Smith said the power of theater is apparent in the movie. She noticed especially Divine Eye’s arc when it comes to the passion for the art form.
“There’s a scene when Divine Eye gets mad at somebody because they cross behind him,” Smith said. “[Dino Johnson] has to explain to him that for most of the actors, theater is all they have.”
In that scene, it is clear that Eye is still in the “yard” mentality. Watching your back is key to surviving in prison, to fend off someone who might try and sneak up behind you.
“The scene that stood out to me was where Divine Eye was reciting his Hamlet monologue,” Smith said. “He finally got down the monologue and the passion required for it.”
In terms of award season, “Sing Sing” might be in for a treat. Unlike last year with “Oppenheimer,” there is no clear frontrunner as of now for the Best Picture Oscar. Maclin, Domingo and company might have just done enough to make their case for a sweep of the season.
