Follow us on Google News
Get the latest updates directly in your Google News feed
Greg Kwedar’sSing Singdebuted at TIFF in 2023 to much buzz and an acquisition from A24. In the months since, its star, Colman Domingo, has become an Oscar nominee, which only caused the hype to grow even stronger. It earns every bit of the praise it has gotten, as it is one of the best-directed and best-performed films in years.
Based on a true story told in an Esquire article,Sing Singchronicles the lives of a group of inmates in the Sing Sing Correctional Facility who participate in a drama program as part of their rehabilitation process. Although a few of the beats in the movie are somewhat conventional, the film oozes such deep humanity that it is impossible not to fall in love with it and its subjects.
The most impressive thing aboutSing Sing— of which there are many — is the level of empathy with which it approaches its characters. The movie challenges the audience to rethink their assumptions and presuppositions about the incarcerated community, shining a new light on these characters as human beings rather than their actions to which they are often reduced.
Sing Singis a tremendously emotional, well-acted film
At the same time, it doesn’t feel like Kwedar and company are proselytizing. The film clearly has a lot to say about the status quo of the justice system and how it is unfair to lower-income communities and people of color, but the writers understand that they don’t need to beat this over the audience’s head. Instead, they let this incredible story and the people who inspired it speak for themselves.
Also Read:The Fall Guy SXSW Review: Ryan Gosling Charming in Otherwise Subpar Action Comedy
Colman Domingo is obviously incredible in his role here. In fact, this may be the single best performance in his already illustrious career. The same goes for Paul Raci, who balances the humor and heart of his role. However, part of what makes these performances so impressive is that he knows when to cede the spotlight to the other performers, who are the movie’s true heart and soul.
Many of the actors in the film are playing versions of themselves, and they are all genuinely astounding. The biggest discovery of the movie is Clarence “Divine Eye” Maclin, whose performance is unbelievably tender and restrained for someone making his film debut. His chemistry with Domingo is fantastic; their dynamic starts out seeming like a conventional rivalry but quickly evolves into something much more humanistic.
From a technical standpoint, the movie is also quite strong. It’s not particularly flashy, but the cinematography is elegant and close, lending it a strong feeling of intimacy. Bryce Dessner’s score is also excellent, perfectly accentuating the film’s emotion without ever feeling overbearing or needlessly sentimental.
Sing Singimmediately stands out as one of the most inspiring, moving, and crowd-pleasing movies of the year. Although many audiences will be drawn to the film for Colman Domingo, they will walk away most impressed by the incredible turns from the newcomers — especially “Divine Eye” Maclin. What could have been a sentimental crowd-pleaser is instead a tremendous, sensitive work of storytelling.
Sing Singscreened at the 2024 SXSW Film Festival, which runs March 8-16 in Austin, TX.
Follow us for more entertainment coverage onFacebook,Twitter,Instagram, andYouTube.
Rating: 10/10
Also Read:Bob Trevino Likes It SXSW Review: John Leguizamo and Barbie Ferreira Are Great in Lovable Indie Dramedy
Sean Boelman
Managing Editor for Film and TV
Articles Published :441
Sean is the Managing Editor for Film and Television, working to determine editorial strategy for the critics team. He has been on the FandomWire team since 2022.In addition to writing reviews himself, Sean helps match writers on the FandomWire team with assignments that best fit their interests and expertise.
More from Sean Boelman
“This is a match made in Heaven”: Mason Gooding and Dylan Sprouse on Working Together in Under Fire (INTERVIEW)
Highest 2 Lowest Review — Spike Lee’s Kurosawa Remake Is Saved by a Phenomenal Denzel Washington
Is This the Best New Way to Watch The Matrix? Reviewing Cosm in Dallas, TX
Recommended
Bella Ramsey’s Campaign to Become MCU’s Spider-Man: Is It Really That Absurd?
The Conjuring: Last Rites Faces Its Toughest Box-Office Battle After Rare WB Record
Bridgerton’s BTS Moment Proves the Netflix Show Is Against James Cameron’s Ways
Fallout Season 2 Release Date Confirmed: 5 Post-Apocalyptic Shows to Watch While You Wait For Peak Cinema
Kevin Hart Is Trading Dwayne Johnson for Another WWE Star in New Netflix Film
Perfect Match Season 3: How Did Ollie Propose to AD?
a24Colman Domingopaul raci
