Leena Virtanen comments on the biographical film about Bob Marley, which, despite being homemade, still emphasizes the music.
Drama
The film, “Bob Marley: One Love”, is directed by Reinaldo Marcus Green and runs for 107 minutes. It is rated K12.
The film is rated ★★★.
Jamaican Bob Marley, who lived between 1945 and 1981, was considered the Elvis of his time, especially among Rastafarians. He became a reggae superstar in Western countries from the 1970s.
The biographical film, a US production directed by Reinaldo Marcus Green, includes big names like Brad Pitt. Despite its homemade execution, the film has a charm of its own, particularly when it comes to the substantial role of music.
The film focuses on the period 1976–1978, when Jamaica was unstable, forcing Marley and his bandmates to seek safety in London, where they also recorded. The film portrays the unrest in London, where punks clashed with the police, much like in Trenchtown.
In the movie, the best scenes relate to the creation of music. The process of finding the right sound in the studio is well depicted, and well-known songs like “Exodus” and “Jamming” are born.
The film does not thoroughly explore the political situation in Jamaica or the colonial wars of the era, which were important to Marley’s mission. His work often dealt with revolution and oppression, themes that continue to resonate today.
The Rastafari religion is portrayed strongly in the film. The religious speech can be obscure, but it offers a refreshing element to the film.
Marley’s wife, Rita, and son, Ziggy, are the film’s producers. Rita, who was a backing singer for The Wailers and a musician herself, is portrayed as a significant influence in the background. Her financial support to her husband is also highlighted.
Marley’s extramarital children are acknowledged in the film. The lead role is played by British actor Kingsley Ben-Adir, who portrays Marley with caution and a subdued tone, but displays charisma during concert scenes.
Ben-Adir’s portrayal of Marley is unrestricted, despite the constant presence of ganja. The film follows Marley’s life until his illness and final years.
The film’s music is a mix of original and generic sound mass by Kris Bowers. Like many biopics, the best clips are saved for the authentic recordings during the end credits.
A documentary about Marley was completed a decade ago, which would be interesting to revisit in comparison to this biographical film. Netflix also has a 2018 TV documentary, “Remastered: Who Shot the Sheriff”, which delves into the events of 1976 and Marley’s attempted murder.
Marley might have been surprised to find that even in the 2020s, only a few films have a majority black cast. James Norton, a British actor, plays record boss Chris Blackwell in a supporting role.
The film is written by Terence Winter, Frank E. Flowers, Zack Baylin, Reinaldo Marcus Green. It stars Kingsey Ben-Adir, Lashana Lynch, and James Norton.
