Sylvie's Love is an American romantic drama film directed by Eugene Ashe. It stars Tessa Thompson, Nnamdi Asomugha, Ryan Michelle Bathe, Regé-Jean Page, Aja Naomi King, and Eva Longoria in main roles. It was released on 23rd December 2020 on Amazon Prime Video.
Set in the 50s, Robert Halloway (Nnamdi Asomugha) looks at Sylvie Parker (Tessa Thompson) at a shop through a window, and after seeing a 'help wanted' sign he enters the shop. He asks Sylvie about the sign and the job and she answers that they aren't actually looking for help but her father comes from the backroom and hires Robert on the spot. Robert is a saxophone player and he and his quartets are invited by The Countess (Jemima Kirke) to her home to have a music session.
Robert invites Sylvie to his next gig and she is quite impressed to see him playing the saxophone. They fall in love with each other although Sylvie is engaged to someone who's now serving in the Korean War. Sylvia gets pregnant but Robert has finally got a big gig in Paris. Now cut to five years later, Sylvie is married to someone else and has children and is now doing her dream job working in a TV show and then one day she runs into Robert again. Will the two get back together?
Written by Eugene Ashe, Sylvie's Love is a very typical melodrama romantic film that is centered around a black couple. If you're thinking that the 114 minutes of runtime might feel lengthy it surprises with its beautiful writings and characters in no time. The shy and aspiring Sylvie falls in love with the charismatic and talented Robert and spends time dancing with each other in the middle of the road and offers many dreamy sequences and you might feel...huh what's new?
What I like about the film are the two characters who light up the screen with their presence and their beautiful chemistry. Sylvie who gets pregnant doesn't want to put options to choose in front of Robert when he was going to Paris for his gig. That's the point where you get that it's not only the fine writing but it is also the soulful and meaningful characters that are the pillars of the film.
Sylvie's friend Mona (Aja Naomi King) has also got a well-carved character who from a party girl becomes an activist. This film doesn't try to keep its lead in a love bubble giving only the lovely heartwarming moments, but by exploding the bubble and extending more than 'happy ending', it makes them face the reality of the world and offers scenes full of authentic interactions between the two leads and that's the best part - it never shy from being harsh than just being a lovely romantic film.
Tessa Thompson as Sylvie Parker has given a beautiful performance. She's pitch-perfect with her expressions and Nnamdi Asomugha is also natural as Robert Halloway. Aja Naomi King as Mona has her presence felt, Regé-Jean Page as Chico Sweetney had his moments. Others have done a fine job too.
The cinematography by Declan Quinn is magnificent. Though the frames are dark still everything looks so beautiful, the shiny cars, the actors and every single thing has been perfectly captured. The production design by Mayne Berke is spot-on and the music by Fabrice Lecomte fits the tone of the film and is very much appropriate. The costume design by Phoenix Mellow is one of the beautiful aspects of this film. Dana Congdon's editing is tip top.
Sylvie's Love is not only beautiful, but it's also a very good film overall. Tessa Thompson and Nnamdi Asomugha have given their best and shine throughout the film. Being a romantic film, it becomes melodramatic sometimes but never dreamy or unrealistic. That's the good thing about the film. Stream it if you love Valkyrie and if you're looking for a deep romantic film with some genuine characters and real dialogues and terrific music. It's got the perfect combo.
Rating:- 3.5/5
Now streaming on Amazon Prime Video.
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