In the sweet romanticism of “Albany Road,” for instance, five components are included. First there is that, dating back to ancient times, probably the first story ever told, a form of plot about a journey and its characters’ development along the way, in other words, a journey where antagonists go through a metamorphosis and learn to value and trust each other. Contest, too, of the longing for genuine closeness with the fear of exposure contest. Third: there is a reunion of relatives so that things that had been kept concealed for long and much to the discomfort of the people, are unveiled, eventually to the glory of the people. Fourth, are women’s stories, which inform us that we have stories of our own and we relate with others. Fifth, and the clearest of all is the opportunity to watch stellar performers whom I have seen for more years in character roles, now taking lead ones.
My admiration for Lynn Whitfield began in the 1991 film “The Josephine Baker Story” where the actress went beyond the role of a biopic actress portraying the titular character. She is captivating in this film, as in “Eve’s Bayou” and “How to Get Away With Murder” in a 3-episode arc. Recently, we watched the actress who played Angelica Schuyler in the Broadway production of Hamilton on stage and later in ‘Waves’, The House with a Clock in Its Walls, Girls 5eva and in one of the best episodes of ‘Documentary Now’, Co-Op. These masterful women embody rich, emotional and complex characters in this film and it is wonderful to watch them transform throughout.
From the start, we see Goldsberry playing the role of Celeste, a New York advertising executive who seems to be career driven. Her company is undergoing an important presentation scheduled in Washington D.C. and if successful she will become a full equity partner in the firm. On the other hand, if she manages to lose the account, her firm may cease to exist. Meanwhile, at an airport, Paula (Whitfield) is seen scolding a luggage handler. With all the show’s planes now grounded due to a snowstorm which occurs, Celeste and Paula begin driving to DC and we slowly uncover their back story. Kyle, Paula’s son was Celeste’s fiancé and during that relationship, it was Paula who came between them which eventually led to the two splitting up. While crossing the snow burger, their tension eases a notch as the fiancés who hated each other only a moment ago reluctantly join forces in order to move forward to their destination. But the storm later picks up intensity and they take shelter with Caroline, Paula’s cousin (a lovely performance by Lisa Arrindell) and Billy (Joe Holt), her husband. Kyle and Morgan (Rachel Nicks) his fiancée also happen to be there, while other new arrivals'bring new problems and newunmasking.’
All of the characters in the story have an opportunity to develop complex stories since they each have distinctive emotional a leaves the story.
The Writer/Director Christine Swanson has proven once again her proper grasp of women’s narratives practice in the film “Clark Sisters” where Aunjanue Ellis-Taylor sizzles leading talent, continues to showcase her talents with actors. She says, “’Albany Road’ is not a shy story it is a double-edged sword of Black joy, Black resilience, and Black humanity.” This certainly does not mean that these characters do not access pain, loss and fear. What it means is that these characters are able to accept rather than survive everything that is associated with being human. They have managed to find connection in loss, compassion in fear, and healing in pain.
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