by Matt St Clair
We're happily beginning to see a broader variety of black-centered period dramas. Although Sylvie’s Love does touch upon the racism of the 1950s, it's more concerned with showcasing romance than trauma. This light holiday viewing serves up an old-fashioned “one that got away” story that thrives on the simplicity of the romance genre.
During the first act of Sylvie’s Love, the song “Fools Falls in Love” by The Drifters sets the tone for the entire picture. A song about the problem with falling in love too fast perfectly captures the conflict that Sylvie (Tessa Thompson), an aspiring TV producer, and saxophonist Robert (Nnamdi Asomugha) face after an encounter at a record store owned by Sylvie's father where she works...
As Robert and Sylvie engage in a blissful summer romance in 1950s Harlem, the song begins to signal the melancholy that will come when the two lovers go on their separate paths to make their dreams come true. Robert travels to Paris with his jazz band while Sylvie gets a production assistant job at a cooking show. Once their paths diverge Sylvie’s Love becomes an interesting contemplation of both love and circumstance.
When they have that chance meeting, they’re instantly smitten. Yet, once Sylvie becomes pregnant and Robert prepares to head off to Europe, Sylvie is faced with a tough decision: Tell him so they can build a life together while she makes her own dream come true or let him take off so that they both can achieve their goals while still making him the one that got away. We obviously know which choice she makes.
Given the title you can guess that Sylvie’s Love is primarily the Tessa Thompson show. While it doesn’t reach the same heights as her career-best work in the criminally underseen Little Woods, the performance is still a fine example of her substantial movie star charisma. She and Nnamdi Asomugha have intoxicating chemistry and Aja Naomi King proves a terrific scene partner as Sylvie’s close friend, Mona. Meanwhile, Jemima Kirke provides allure as Robert’s band manager named Countess.
Sylvie’s major transition from care-free vivacious lover to sensible career woman is not just left to Thomson's skill but also exemplified in the costume design by Phoenix Mellow. The luxurious dresses Sylvie wears, signify her assimilation into the high-end TV industry, contrasting with the more bourgeois wardrobe she initially wears.
If the picture has any flaws, it's that the third act definitely makes you feel the nearly two-hour running time. Other than that, Sylvie’s Love is a terrific effort from writer/director Eugene Ashe. With charismatic lead performances and a simple heartfelt story, you can’t go wrong making this part of your Christmas week viewing. B+
Sylvie’s Love is currently streaming on Prime Video.