The streaming service delivers an accurate and beautifully written love story where melanin is king
Our love stories — complicated, passionate, and filled with optimism amidst racial inequality and angst; are still worth it. Each. And. Every. One.
“Sylvie’s Love,” a melanated tour de force, which premiered on Amazon Prime on Christmas Day, pays homage to that sentiment.
Sylvie and Robert fell in love in Harlem over Jazz and the Blues but their story went on a 5-year hiatus when Robert and his trio were offered a gig in Paris. Robert knew immediately that he wanted Sylvie to go — but when she began experiencing “stomach problems,” that ship would sail — literally.
Sylvie Parker is a TV-obsessed Harlemite with dreams of being a big-time entertainment producer a la Shonda Rhimes. Robert Holloway is a saxophonist who only dares to play in the shadow of John Coltrane. Somehow, the two blend together, perfectly — despite a fiancé, a husband, and groupies — one aggressive blonde-wig wearing one in particular.
When they run back into each other outside of a concert where iconic chanteuse Nancy Wiilson would be performing, it was as if no time had passed. In each other’s arms that night we find out what became of her stomach problems — Sylvie’s greatest love.
In 1957 first, then eventually 1967 after — it seemed as if nothing was ever easy and as the time continued to push through with a fervor that makes the audience scream at the screen for FMO (fear of mission out); it seems as if the audience would never get the happy ending they deserved — but you’ll have to watch in order to see how that goes.
When Jazz gets replaced with Little Stevie, a harmonica, and Rhythm and Blues, things get even more complicated. “Sylvie’s Love” is epic in a way that captures the set ups and the setbacks that were (and are), the Black experience in the 60s when everything changed.
Eugene Ashe as writer/director doesn’t miss the mark in a husky and rich romantic drama that couldn’t have worked with either of the leads in the 50s. For sure, “Sylvie,” would have featured an all-white cast.
Tessa Thomason in the title role Sylvie and Nnamdi Asomugha as Robert both deliver incredible performances. But the ensemble shines as well.
Costumer Phoenix Mellow beautifully captures the style of the era flaunting tailored suits, turtlenecks, and pencil skirts beautifully paired with beehive hair, unmovable curls, and dewy makeup — because no matter the time, in Harlem, they dressed.
“Sylvie’s Love,” is dedicated to Diahann Carrol, Nancy Wilson, and Doris Day. It is streaming now on Amazon Prime.
“Most people never find that kind of love, even for a summer. Its… well, it’s extroidinary.” — quote from the film.