This is--weirdly--a feel good prison movie. It does not romantacize prison. Prison in this movie is a cold, cruel place full of violent men whose daily life revolves around trying not to antagonize the alpha dogs within the prison population or the guards looming over them. Rather it is a story about a group men serving time in prison whose participation in a theater arts program gives them something to look forward to and improves them as human beings. Colman Domingo, who deservedly received an Oscar Nomination for his role, plays Divine G, one of many real people who went through the program. He was an actor and aspiring playwright in high school before his life went off the rails. He’s a devotee of theater, loves to act and read plays, and approaches it all with the quiet fervor of somebody who found religion behind bars. Some of the most memorable images in this movie focus on Domingo’s face in closeup as Divine G performs, thinks, or silently observes others. The movie is upbeat. The scenes are allowed to play out in a way that feels real, especially in the drama club meetings. Participants are shown rehearsing scenes, talking about their meaning and construction, giving each other notes on how to perform the material, and talking about how the art informs their lives and how their lives inform their performances. The end effect is lasting and hopeful, despite all the hate being poured on people of color in the current administration, may we survive it.
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