Cheers To EXTRAORDINARY Love

“But how do you know if you love something absolutely? I don’t know. I guess when it’s the only thing that matters.”

Sylvie & Robert
TESSA THOMPSON as SYLVIE PARKER and NNAMDI ASOMUGHA as ROBERT HALLOWAY in SLYVIE’S LOVE

Tessa Thompson and Nnamdi Asomugha sweep us off our feet with new hopeful romance, Sylvie’s Love. Writer and Director Eugene Ashe takes us on a whimsical journey as we watch Sylvie and Robert; two aspiring people who fall in love and go through the trials and tribulations of life. The where is Harlem, New York and the when is the 1950’s. New York City is the epicenter of Jazz during this time period of which Robert is a young, smooth, talented, and self-taught saxophonist. Sylvie is the divine debutante who dreams of becoming a television producer during a time when sexism is the norm. Summer of 1957 changed their lives forever and we get a front row seat to their timeless love.

See you later, alligator. The phrase see you later alligator is to simply imply this is not the end yet instead I will see you later. In Sylvie’s Love, this phrase is introduced by the Bill Haley & His Comets rock and roll classic. Yet it serves as a major theme for both Sylvie and Robert as they chase their dreams and make choices for themselves and each other. While one may never know if they’ll see the other again, we the viewers just know this isn’t the end.

Timeless love. A love so eternal it has no restrictions, no end. Timeless love is what keeps us fixated on the ever so beautifully told story. Robert, who plays for the Dickie Brewster Quartet, meets Sylvie working at the nearby record store her father owns where it is love at first sight. Timeless love is what keeps both Sylvie and Robert selfless in their actions throughout the film although posing great uncertainty for themselves. Timeless love is what keeps Sylvie from telling her truth knowing it can risk Robert’s dreams. Vice versa, it is what keeps Robert from telling his truth knowing it can halt Sylvie’s dreams. Timeless love is what draws Sylvie and Robert back to each other after five years have gone by. Timeless love is what keeps a hold of Robert no matter the circumstances he is faced with. Timeless love is what had Robert playing his saxophone outside of Sylvie’s window in the middle of the night. Timeless love is the devine interventions happening all throughout the course of the film.

Sylvie’s Love was filmed to perfection. The fashion and music of the times were perfectly captured and executed. The social injustices of the times are brought to light. We see what was once impossible become possible for Sylvie. Both Thompson and Nnamdi do a phenomenal job bringing the era and the romance to life. No one could’ve played these roles better. You will learn the reason for the title Sylvie’s Love in that it seeks to define what true love really is.

KJW

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