28/43
These are actual audition tapes used to cast the movie
Narrative
Divine G, imprisoned at Sing Sing for a crime he didn't commit, finds purpose by acting in a theater group alongside other incarcerated men in this story of resilience, humanity, and the transformative power of art.. At the beginning of the movie the cast are trying out for various parts in the play. The group is criticized for not doing comedy yet their previous play was A Midsummer Night's Dream which is a comedy..
Bladescomposed by Bryce Dessner
Featured in Late Night with Seth Meyers: Anna Faris/ Colman Domingo/Jose Medeles (2024). This was a very competently and professionally made film that is somewhat marred by a lack of major plot elements. The film itself is mostly solid on all technical fronts.
Unfortunately, it seems that way for the entire film
The dialogue is real and raw, the arc and pacing is just right, and the acting is extremely solid. However, in none of these facets does the film truly excel. There is a lot of good things happening: layered conversations and meaning, nice musical choices, stakes understood.
However, nothing really exemplaryPerhaps this film's greatest sin is its dedication to the genre of character driven drama
I can truly appreciate a slow burn, but there are long stretches of the film in which nothing happens and, at some level, have no staked outcome on the story. Perhaps this is a give an take — the ambiance of the film works great, combined with the shaky-cam style of photography gives a real and raw energy. In the end, this is a good film that I'm sure will be a major hit with some people.