Sylvie's Love (2020)

 There should be more films like, period pieces starring African Americans about African Americans.

Tessa Thompson shines as Sylvie Johnson, who whittles her time away during the hot summer watching the TV at her father's record store where she meets jazz saxophonist Robert Holloway (Nnamdi Asomugha). While the attraction is immediate and mutual, she's engaged to Lacy Parker (Alano Miller, a solid if typical 1950s male). That doesn't stop them from hooking up but Robert gets a gig in Paris and she lets him despite being pregnant with his child (once again, use protection, people). 

Flash forward, five years later, both have careers on the up-swing and Sylvie manages to land a job as an assistant producer for Lucy Wolper's (Wendi McLendon-Covey) cooking show, something that she loves. However, Laci (who married her because he loves her) isn't truly supportive and eventually, after Robert re-enters the picture, the marriage does crumble. And when Robert catches wind of this news, he gives up his shiny career to become a family man but he can no longer find a career in music and his trip to Detroit back fires badly so now it is his turn to lie to Sylvie and dumps her and returns to Detroit with his tail between his legs.

Fortunately, Sylvie changes her mind and gets him back, so happy endings for all. While the film is somewhat of a slow-burn, it is exquisitely filmed and styled with great, brilliant acting and while the Civil Rights movement is mentioned, it is only in the background as this film focuses on two people trying to pursue their dreams and each other at the same time. The film also managed to give the characters (and there were probably a tad too many of them) personalities, in addition to truly capturing the spirit of the time period which I always marvel at. Grade: B+

Side Notes:

-Pay attention to the dinner Sylvie and Lacy host for a new account he will get. While the white couple is gracious, they are also racists and Lacy was awarded the account solely because of the color of his skin. While Sylvie is offended, Lacy doesn't care. He's all about the money.

-Both McLendon-Covey (as the Julia Child inspired TV chef who loathes high heels) and Eva Longoria's Carmen needed far more screen time. Ditto for Ryan Michelle Bathe as the original producer for Lucy's show who hires Sylvie. 

-Once again, use protection. There are so many forms of it, even in the 1950s and I believe that it was legal in New York where this film occurs. 

-I liked that they wrapped up the film by showing the epilogue over the credits.