SYLVIE’S LOVE – A Review by Cynthia Flores
This new film from writer/director Eugene Ashe has a look and feel of The Way We Were made in 1973, starring Barbra Streisand and Robert Redford. That is not a bad thing. In fact, I think it really sells this love story featuring African Americans in the romantic leads. I enjoyed their similar pacing of dialogue and how people in Sylvie’s Love speak to each other just like in other classic romance films such as 1974s The Great Gatsby also starring Robert Redford. It actually looks and feels like Sylvie’s Love was made in the 1970s but with modern casting.
Also, the New York-born and bred director’s background as a former Sony Music recording artist is also an asset for his second feature film. It adds a layer of authenticity to the behind-the-scenes life of musicians. And his use of popular songs from the years this story takes place feels right and not just something slapped on top after the shoot. The music helps move this story forward in a natural way.
In Sylvie’s Love, the filmmakers have nailed what a sultry hot summer in the New York City of 1957 looked and felt like. With smooth jazz filling the nights and being played in smokey clubs. Robert (Nnamdi Asomugha) is one of those people playing in those clubs. He is a genius saxophonist playing behind a less-talented but well-known bandleader, a jazz quartet member. He takes a day job at a record shop to make some extra money and be near the beautiful Sylvie (Tessa Thompson). She dreams of a television producer career, a big dream for a black girl at that time. She spends her summer days helping around her father’s record store as she waits for her fiancé to return from war. Robert and Sylvie hit it off over their love of music. A friendship develops, and before long, it sparks a passionate love that will change their lives forever.
As the summer comes to an end, life takes the two love birds in different directions ending their relationship but leaving Sylvie pregnant in the process. Five years pass, and a married Sylvie gets that career as a TV producer while Robert has to come to terms with the fact that Jazz has gone cold. People want Motown and rock and roll now. One night when he is in New York City for a recording session, he bumps into Sylvie. They spend time together that night, only to realize that even though their lives have changed, their feelings for each other have not. Will they ever end up together?
I really enjoyed Sylvie’s Love as the stylized film it is. It has just the right mix of romance and music to tell the love story of two people living in changing times and culture as they discover the real price of love.
I give Sylvie’s Love a 4-star rating. It’s a lovely gift to enjoy this holiday season.
Directed by: Eugene Ashe
Written by: Eugene Ashe
Rated PG-13
Selig Rating: 4 Stars
Running Time: 1hr 54min
Drama / Music / Romance
Release: Only on Prime Video on December 23rd
Starring: Tessa Thompson, Nnamdi Asomugha, Aja Naomi King, Jemima Kirke, Tone Bell, Alano Miller, Erica Gimpel, Lance Reddick with Wendi McLendon and Eva Longoria
The Selig Rating Scale:
5 Stars – Excellent movie, well worth the price.
4 Stars – Good movie
3 Stars – OK movie
2 Stars – No need to rush. Save it for a rainy day.
1 Star – Good that I saw it on the big screen but wish I hadn’t paid for it.
