Sing Sing (2023)
Resilience is not an act.
Presentation:
Prison movies seem to always have the most heart - is it perhaps because it is where we are most vulnerable? This A24 film is quite contemporary and emotionally charged, though if you draw comparisons to The Shawshank Redemption you may be disappointed in the beginning only to be surprised by the end. Clint Bentley writes a touching story of a man wrongly convicted and seeking solace through theatre arts. The story is told with tender sensitivity and makes you disconnect from any previous judgment, seeing only men and their souls. I also found the filmic look to be visually beautiful fitting for its themes with the blooming halated highlights.
Conclusion:
If you watch this film make sure to stay for the end, because it will make everything worth it. If there are any qualms about pacing or melodrama, it should be forgiven. People will compare this to other prison dramas, but I think this is actually very differently told than all the Hollywood style blockbusters. I think this may even be more impactful for its lasting effect.
Recommendations
Level 0 of the liminal basement.