Tessa Thompson and Nnamdi Asomugha star in “Sylvie’s Love,” a captivating love story set in the jazz scene of 1950s New York City.
The film captures the look, sound, and style of Classic Hollywood romances from the ’50s to the ’70s, bringing a nostalgic feel that is both refreshing and innovative.
Directed by Eugene Ashe, “Sylvie’s Love” is a romantic period piece that pays homage to Old Hollywood while introducing diversity into the genre.
The story begins in the summer of 1957 in New York. Sylvie works in her father’s record store but dreams of a career in television, a bold ambition for a Black woman at the time. Robert is an up-and-coming saxophonist in a jazz quartet on the verge of success. To earn extra money and get closer to Sylvie, Robert takes a part-time job at the record store. Their friendship quickly blossoms into love, but as summer ends, life takes them in different directions.
Years later, they reconnect, and the old spark is still there. The question is whether they can find a way to be together despite the time and challenges that have passed.
From the beginning, Thompson and Asomugha display incredible on-screen chemistry, delivering performances that resonate deeply. The film is a pure romance, staying true to the genre without any cynical undertones.
If you enjoy classic romantic films, you’ll appreciate the deep conversations in the record store and the beautifully lit scenes of slow dancing in the streets of New York City.
Sylvie and Robert are well-developed characters with relatable flaws and strengths. Sylvie’s ambitions and struggles are portrayed authentically, while Robert’s journey in the jazz world during the rise of Motown provides a fascinating backdrop.
The supporting cast includes Regé-Jean Page, Eva Longoria, Tone Bell, Lance Reddick, and Aja Naomi King, all of whom deliver strong performances that enhance the story.
“Sylvie’s Love” feels both nostalgic and contemporary, making the romance genre feel brand new. The film is sweet and genuine, with an excellent script, direction, magnificent soundtrack, and believable chemistry between the actors. The cinematography captures the romantic atmosphere of a bygone New York City beautifully.
Overall, “Sylvie’s Love” is one of the standout films of 2020 and deserves more attention.
Content Note: The film is rated PG-13. It pays homage to classic romance films but includes some sensuality with a couple of brief, non-explicit love scenes, as well as themes of an extramarital affair and adult situations.
You can watch “Sylvie’s Love” on Amazon Prime Video.
