Written and Directed by Christine Swanson

Review by Ardre Orie 

Albany Road: The New “Modern Day Classic”

The process of unpacking the whirlwind of emotions after watching the hearty offering “Albany Road” is overwhelming to say the least. What I write next won't do my sentiments justice, however it accurately depicts my raw emotion.

THIS WEEK’S TOP PICK---Coming To Theaters November 15, 2024

The cinematography, the dialogue, the emotional plateaus are all consuming. I fell in love with Celeste, played by Tony Award winner, Renée Elise Goldsberry (Hamilton) from the first introduction. She is powerful and certain. We can see ourselves in her. We care sooner than we are ready to do so--an amazing factor. As the movie progresses, it was a pleasure to watch her unravel. There is beauty in the fulfillment of her arc as we witness her become who she was destined to become. The best part is that we see there is yet room for evolution. 

Kyle (played by P-Valley star J. Alphonse Nicholson) was beautiful, reflective and the personification of so many in search of love. He matured before our eyes. He was debonaire, gentle, thoughtful--everything that a leading man should be. 

To walk away knowing that both Celeste and Kyle discovered healing and that they have been made whole, left me crying tears of joy. And the non-stop fireworks of their onscreen chemistry (even as they fight) is the stuff of legends (like Diana Ross and Billy Dee). It makes you want to fall in love over and over again. They make the joy and pain of love aspirational as they dare to overcome all the obstacles thrown at their tender but worthy romance. 

And Paula (played by the Emmy Award winning Lynn Whitfield) who is the longstanding masterclass of an onscreen matriarch, gives a tour de force performance that marks a career high and in the totality of her extraordinary career, her performance as Paula is nothing short of transcendent. Can someone say Oscar??? Paula is reminiscent of all our mothers we have adored and feared at the same time. What a magical, dynamic experience to watch a mother first recognize then attempt to right her wrongs. We don't often see this unfold in stories and in characters with such specificity, shock, joy, pain and much needed catharsis. 

I have so much to say and so much left to process. I am full. My heart is full. In fact, I cried a wholesome ugly cry. Thank you to the filmmakers for fighting for this story, our story. Thank you for breathing life into it, and in doing so, giving us life. 

“Albany Road” is unquestionably a new modern day classic. Multiple Award winning filmmaker, Christine Swanson (The Clark Sisters) masterfully captures the essence of an intimate and honest depiction of two women on a quest to survive their pasts while making peace with their present with laugh out loud humor and gut wrenching pathos.

Paired with an uplifting soundtrack and a superb supporting cast (Lisa Arrindell, Gary Dourdan, Joe Holt and Rachel Nicks), “Albany Road” is both a gripping and delightful ride reminding us that love is a healing salve for the soul.  “Albany Road” is soul food for the masses. Go fix your plate!