Sylvie’s Love Synopsis: When a young woman meets an aspiring saxophonist in her father’s record shop in 1950s Harlem, their love ignites a sweeping romance that transcends changing times, geography, and professional success.
During the summer of 1957, Sylvia (Tessa Thompson) begins a slow-burn romance with Robert (Nnamdi Asomugha), a saxophone player who has recently begun working at her father’s record store. The problem is Sylvie is engaged, her fiancĂŠ serving in Korea. Sylvie’s mother, an etiquette teacher, creates another obstacle for the young lovers, as she’s more concerned about image than Sylvie following her heart.
Sylvie’s Love is an absolutely gorgeous movie. The use of studio backlots and old-school cinematography (shot on 16mm film) gave the film a classic look that invoked the feeling of watching a sweeping Hollywood romance, the kind they certainly don’t make anymore.
While I adored everything about the stylish production, Sylvie’s Love strength comes from its exploration of the characters. It’s not solely their romance either, but the path that Sylvie and Robert both take in order to achieve their dreams. Thompson is such a talent, and she’s able to show her fantastic range here. Asomugha is a strong male lead, transitioning quite smoothly from former athlete to actor. I adored his chemistry with Thompson because it’s their romance that keeps them tied together, even when circumstances pull them apart.
Sylvie and Robert’s obstacles never feel contrived but grounded in reality, especially for two people living in 1950s Harlem. I have to admit that Sylvie’s image-obsessed mother, Eunice, reminded me quite a bit of Joan Allen in The Notebook and her desire to push her daughter into the arms of a respectable, wealthy man instead of one who could make her happy. However, while there were layers to Allen’s character, I never really fully understood Eunice’s motivation beyond the obvious of money vs. no money. But at this point, I’m merely nitpicking.
Admittedly, for the last quarter of the movie, I was bracing myself for a tragic ending. Most of the movie was romantic, bittersweet, and full of hope, but surely it couldn’t end that way. Perhaps the entirety of 2020 had completely dimmed my view of dramatic love stories, or maybe I’ve watched too many Nicholas Sparks movies. Maybe it felt rare to have a black love story that was not full of insurmountable odds and tragedy. But Sylvie’s Love turned out to be a breath of fresh air simply because it gave us a love story between two people who dealt with relatable and realistic problems, and I think that is the true beauty of this movie.
Watched: 01/06/2021
Notable Song: To Be Loved by Jackie Wilson
Mettel Ray
January 9, 2021I feel like I will like it despite it takes place in the 50’s. Your glowing review helps as well. đ
Sara
January 11, 2021It starts in the 50’s and ends in the 60’s! But it’s really well done and has such an old Hollywood feel to it.