Sylvie’s Love (2020) Movie Review
Sylvie’s Love is a refreshing movie combining love, relationships, dreams, music, and television into one story. If it sounds ambitious that’s because it is. Set in the 1950’s in Harlem, Sylvie’s Love introduces us to the two main characters right away. Sylvie (Tessa Thompson) works in her father’s record shop and dreams of being in the television industry. She’s constantly watching television and engrossed in shows like I Love Lucy. Robert (Nnamdi Asomugha) wanders into the record shop one day. He’s an up and coming musician in a band that hasn’t quite made it yet. He’s the star of the band as the talented saxophonist.
The two get swept up in a romance, complicated by the fact that Sylvie is already engaged to be married. When Robert’s band gets its big break landing a touring gig in Paris, the young lovebirds are separated. Five years pass and their lives go in different directions. However, fate steps in and Sylvie and Robert happen to bump into each other in New York. This love story isn’t as straightforward as most. The initial romance is interrupted by a job opportunity and when they reconnect it isn’t as easy as you’d expect.
Writer and director Eugene Ashe crafts a compelling story about young lovers whose love is interrupted by lofty career aspirations. He gives each of them hopes and dreams that most would call unrealistic, but luckily they’re both up to the task. The set design and costuming is superb, with scenes oozing the 1950’s era. It’s a blast to see the old timey cars and the vintage clothes. Even the soundtrack is catchy and fun with popular songs from the 50’s like “You Send Me” by Sam Cooke, “See You Later, Alligator” by Bill Haley and the Comets, and “To Be Loved” by Jackie Wilson. Music obviously plays a large part in the movie with Robert being a musician and the soundtrack will put you in the right mood for the movie.
The acting is fairly good with the standouts being Thompson and Asomugha. Their chemistry works well on screen and you find yourself rooting for them to be together while also wanting them to thrive apart. Thompson brings her usual skills to the movie, imbuing Sylvie with a confidence that is refreshing and a drive to succeed that is infectious. Asomugha proves he can carry a movie handily and makes a compelling leading man.
Sylvie’s Love will give you similar vibes to The Notebook. Soulmates who fall in love and are separated due to outside forces but then meet up to rekindle their relationship. Roadblocks constantly appear in their path and you’ll want to watch to see how they navigate each one. Sylvie’s Love has a few bumpy parts and it drags slightly towards the end. But despite the rough spots, Thompson and Asomugha are a magnetic couple and Sylvie’s Love is an entertaining and fun romantic movie.
Films or Movie: Movie
You’ll like this movie if:
1. You like the 1950’s era
2. You like romance stories
3. You liked The Notebook