Divine G (Colman Domingo) is incarcerated at Sing Sing maximum security prison in New York. Whilst there he tries to make the best of his time by being an active member of the Rehabilitation Through The Arts (RTA) program that allows inmates to take part in Drama productions. 

Sing Sing is a film that feels somewhat like a documentary as it takes real life people and a real life subject and places them within a dramatic structured story. Its message is simply that art has the power to change and nourish those actively taking part in it. 

Colman Domingo is playing a real life person, who also has a short cameo in the film. An innocent man trying to prove his innocence whilst at the same time making prison meaningful and productive for him as a person. He is an integral part of the RTA. He is a member of the committee that organises the productions, he writes dramatic scripts and acts. When newcomer Clarence Maclin (playing himself) joins the program and pushes for a change of direction towards comedy it makes Divine G feel threatened. Working alongside director Brent Buell (Paul Raci) and fellow committee member Mike Mike (Sean San Jose) they work through their latest production. 

With the exception of Domingo, Raci and San Jose the remaining inmates are all played by ex-convicts who were once a part of the RTA program. The film was also shot within decommissioned prisons and features real footage of RTA productions in the credits. All of which adds to its documentary like feel and nature. 

The film’s high is Colman Domingo’s performance, which was nominated for Best Actor at the 2025 Academy Awards. And it’s easy to see why. Domingo is brilliant as he imbues hope, desperation and a real sense of purpose into his character. 

Otherwise the film felt pedestrian in nature and failed to engage me. The non-actor performances may help with realism and documentary style film making but they also feel clunky and lacking in the face of Domingo. 

There is an important story here, it just failed to ignite my emotions in the manner it clearly is trying for.