18/18

These are the actual audition tapes used to perform the film

Scenario

Divine G, imprisoned in Sing Sing for a crime he didn’t commit, finds purpose in this story of resilience, humanity, and the transformative power of art while performing in a theater group with other incarcerated men. a film in which actors try out for various parts of the play.

Blade was created by Bryce Dessner

The group has been criticized for not doing comedy, but their previous play was A Midsummer Night’s Dream, which is a comedy. In the movie Late Night with Seth Meyers: Anna Faris/ Colman Domingo/ Jose Medeles (2024).

I caught this movie last night at a blind screening at our local theater complex

I probably wouldn’t have chosen to see it if I had known what it was, but I’m grateful I did. The moving, honest portrayals of some of the program’s participants (notably Clarence Maclin and Sean Johnson) and the work of Colman Domingo are its strengths.

The cinematography and direction complement the sincerity of the performances by not overshadowing them and by taking an approach where the viewer is a witness to the conversations and events rather than a consumer of them

It’s thought-provoking. Underrated.

Not flawless, but certainly well done

Respectfully.