Set against the absolutely beautiful Harlem in the late 1950’s, Sylvie’s Love should and could be magical.

It settles for charming, and that’s alright, but I wish a bit more went into this screenplay. When a woman working for her father’s record story meets an aspiring saxophonist, the two become inextricably linked across time.

They bond they have and the effect they have on each other is enough to last a lifetime, and through all life’s ups and downs, they always seem to come back to each other.

It’s resplendent and not too sappy, and yet, I really wish there was a bit more feeling. Former Harlem recording artist Eugene Ashe writes and directs what he knows here, but something still feels like it’s missing. That said, it really is a beautiful movie for theholidays.

The casting is impeccable — Tessa Thompson is beautiful and fantastic as young Sylvie, and Nnamdi Asomugha is fantastic as dreamer Robert.

Sylvie’s Love is a great film that had potential to be classic, but if you want to smile while you’re all cozied up this Christmas, it fits the bill just fine.

3.5/5 Stars