Pour l’amour de Sylvie (Sylvie’s love)

Funny coincidence when the magnificent Soul by Pete Docter and Kemp Powers will be available in two days on Disney +, another equally successful film puts jazz at the very center of the story but with a completely different approach. Pour l'amour de Sylvie (Sylvie's love) is a film written, directed and co-produced by Eugene Ashe (Homecoming (2012)).

Noticed at its World Premiere at the Sundance Film Festival on January 27, 2020, this film regains all the charm of the great romantic comedies of the 80s in which the films were not for the most part mere marketing products but were based on original scripts, remarkable interpretations and made us want to devour life, fall in love and give the best of ourselves to simply succeed in life.

In New York City in 1957, saxophonist Robert Halloway (Nnamdi Asomugha) spent entire nights playing behind a less talented but well-known conductor as a member of a jazz quartet. Sylvie Parker (Tessa Thompson), who dreams of a career in television, spends her summer days helping her father's record store. When Robert takes a part-time job at the record store, the two begin a friendship that turns into a deep passion. At the end of the summer, life takes them in different directions, ending their relationship. At a chance meeting a few years later at the entrance of a concert hall, Sylvie and Robert meet again and discover that although their lives have changed, their feelings for each other remain the same and as strong as ever. As the years go by, Sylvie's career as a television producer blossoms, while Robert must come to terms with the fact that jazz is no longer as successful. This romantic and dramatic chronicle celebrates music, love and the fact that you have to know how to find the perfect balance.

Writer and director Eugene Ashe delivers a film with the perfect tempo and emphasis on music and shows once again that our lives are the essence of musical creation. The duo Tessa Thompson and Nnamdi Asomugha works wonderfully and reminds us once again how Tessa Thompson is not only an excellent actress but has a real presence on the screen. The success of this film is due to her character as a strong woman who must find her place in society. While her character's career is on the rise, that of Robert Halloway is in decline. The golden age of jazz is over and Motown has not only set a new standard but has transformed music forever. This film reveals an important nostlagic of a society in constant evolution in which one must constantly adapt. The parallel with the Hollywood film industry is obvious and adds an important emotional touch to this film.

Pour l'amour de Sylvie (Sylvie's love) stands out as one of our big favorites of this end of year and we can only advise you to discover this movie available from December 23rd on Amazon Prime Video . Just for the presence of Tessa Thompson and an unforgettable role, this film will allow you to spend a great holiday season.

Sylvie's Love
Written and directed by Eugene Ashe
Produced by Eugene Ashe, Nnamdi Asomugha, Gabrielle Glore, Jonathan Baker, Matthew Thurm
Starring Tessa Thompson, Nnamdi Asomugha, Ryan Michelle Bathe, Aja Naomi King, Eva Longoria
Music by Fabrice Lecomte
Cinematography: Declan Quinn
Edited by Dana Congdon
Production companies : Iam21 Entertainment, Seven Letter Word Films
Distributed by Amazon Studios
Release date: January 27, 2020 (Sundance), December 23, 2020 (United States)
Running time: 114 minutes

Viewed on December 23, 2020

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