23 Dec 2020
A period drama with Black people at its centre is usually a guarantee that race and bigotry will be the dominant factors of the story. There is value in the
Selmas, of course, but it’s disheartening that there hasn’t been nearly as many movies set way back when that focus on Black characters pursuing love, happiness and career dreams. That’s a big reason why
Sylvie’s Love a charming sophomore effort from writer-director Eugene Ashe that puts the emphasis on a swoon-worthy romance to joyous effect feels so refreshing.
The two star-crossed lovers in question are the titular Sylvie (Tessa Thompson) and Robert (Nnamdi Asomugha, likeably understated), a reserved but brilliant saxophonist in a jazz quartet. The latter gets a job at the record store where Sylvie works just to be near her, and their shared musical passions give way to cute flirtations that quickly blossom into something more. That we’re rooting for the couple from the outset even though Syl
Movie review: An old-fashioned romance in Sylvie s Love eagletribune.com - get the latest breaking news, showbiz & celebrity photos, sport news & rumours, viral videos and top stories from eagletribune.com Daily Mail and Mail on Sunday newspapers.
Dancing to the ebb and flow of its seductive and period-specific soundtrack, “Sylvie’s Love,” from writer-director Eugene Ashe, a former recording artist, displays conventional, yet swoon-worthy steps. The classically conceived romantic saga, spanning several years in late 1950s and early 1960s Harlem, offers a comforting and velvety cinematic texture even if it is not extraordinary from a narrative standpoint.
Engaged, but not enamored of her fiancé, Sylvie (Tessa Thompson), the daughter of a record shop owner and an etiquette instructor, marvels daily at the wonders of television while also having encyclopedic music knowledge. One summer afternoon, her life changes course through a perfect collision between two constellations when saxophone player Robert (Nnamdi Asomugha) walks in the store summoned by the “help wanted” sign of destiny.
Story of star-crossed lovers comes wrapped in a patina of age and music
Author of the article: Chris Knight
Publishing date: Dec 23, 2020 • December 23, 2020 • 1 minute read • Record-shop meet-cute: Nnamdi Asomugha and Tessa Thompson in Sylvie s Love. Photo by Amazon Prime
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Simple and bittersweet,
Sylvie’s Love wraps your basic star-crossed lovers story in a patina of age – it takes place in 1962 New York – and some of the glorious early rock music that comes along with it. The oldies-packed soundtrack includes performances by Samantha Sidley, the Drifters, Louis Armstrong, Sam Cooke, Bill Haley, Martha Reeves, Doris Day and more.
Full Stream Ahead: Amazon s sumptuous Sylvie s Love, Crave s poppy Valley Girl and the too-crazy-to-be-true Wild Mountain Thyme theglobeandmail.com - get the latest breaking news, showbiz & celebrity photos, sport news & rumours, viral videos and top stories from theglobeandmail.com Daily Mail and Mail on Sunday newspapers.