Bob Marley: One Love Review – Struggle, Survival & Unity

Music always has a message, and Bob Marley made sure his music had a message to unify not only his people, but the people of the world; this film did such an amazing job at portraying Bob Marley with his identity crisis caused by the fame, family disputes to the factionalism of Jamaican politics which shaped his music to be what it is today, freedom to the ears.

The focus on a singular period in the life of Bob Marley was executed perfectly. You can see Director, Reinaldo Marcus Green and the Marley family brought authenticity to the biopic, and Ben-Adir who stars as Bob Marley took on the role of the Reggae legend and all the mannerisms were on point, overall all the cast complemented each other. The use of the Jamaican Patois dialect made this one amazing authentic experience.

Bob Marley: One Love directly spans 1976 through 1978, I like that we start where Marley is already a formidable voice in Jamaica, he was planning a unity concert to stop the violence inflicted by two warring political leaders of the Labour Party and the People’s National Party, where things turn sour for Marley. Early on we are introduced to Marley’s family including his supportive wife Rita (Lashana Lynch), his manager Don Taylor, and a few members of his backup band, the Wailers.

Marley went ahead with the concert after escaping an assassination attempt at his compound, however, this trauma forced him to flee and then spent over 18 months away from Jamaica where he recorded much of his award-winning album Exodus in the UK. During his time in the UK, He was diagnosed with a rare, aggressive type of skin cancer called acral lentiginous melanoma (ALM) in the UK, and the biopic does a great job of showing us the conflict he had with himself about it. He eventually returned in 1978 for the One Love Peace concert during which he managed to get Manley and leader of the opposition Edward Seaga together on stage to show unity.

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Throughout the film some flashbacks recall Marley’s difficult childhood, talking of his white father’s abandonment, giving us a speedy backstory for Marley and Rita’s courtship and how the Wailers got their early record deal. Throughout the Bob Marley: One Love biopic, the Rastafari and reggae themes are made clear and toward the end of the film, Marley sings “Redemption Songs” by a campfire as his children slowly gather around him, showing even despite adversity, life must be lived.

The film manages to show the complexity of the life of Bob, Rita, and the Wailers in a thought-out manner, and with the family and close friends being involved in the production they have captured the essence of Bob, his Rastafari vision and the movement of freedom around the world.

Bob Marley: One Love is now playing in Cinemas and I highly recommend you watch this film. A thought-provoking experience, through the struggle, pushing for Survival, and the dream of Unity are key themes that you will enjoy.

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Bob Marley: One Love is Rated PG-13

FILM CREDITS

Cast

Kingsley Ben-Adir as Bob Marley
Lashana Lynch as Rita Marley
James Norton as Chris Blackwell
Tosin Cole as Tyrone Downie
Aston Barrett Jr. as Aston “Family Man” Barrett
Anthony Welsh as Don Taylor
Sevana as Judy Mowatt
Hector Lewis as Carlton Carly Barrett
Michael Gandolfini as Howard Bloom
Nadine Marshall as Cedella Malcolm
Henry Douthwaite as Norval Marley

Director – Reinaldo Marcus Green

Screenplay by Terence Winter
Frank E. Flowers
Zach Baylin
Reinaldo Marcus Green

Producers – Robert Teitel

Dede Gardner
Jeremy Kleiner
Ziggy Marley
Rita Marley
Cedella Marley

Senior Editor – With an unhealthy obsession with Coffee and Gaming, Boris uses his obsessions to fuel his passion for the gaming community. An avid fan of First Person Shooters, RPGs, if it’s got explosions he’s playing it. Most likely drinking coffee and playing an FPS right now.