Carl Roberts 
Kingsley Ben-Adir stars as Bob Marley in the biopic Bob Marley: One Love. But can the film hit the musical heights or is it one long bum note?
Let’s face facts. Robert Nesta Marley was and remains a musical genius and legend. His music still resonates around the world today. His lyrics and superb musical prowess live on, forty-three years after his sad passing. Ask anyone who is the greatest Reggae artist of all time and they’ll answer Bob Marley. With hits such as ‘I Shot The Sheriff’, ‘Wait In Vein’, ‘Jamming’, ‘Three Little Birds’, ‘No Woman, No Cry’, and ‘One Love’ to name a few, he was ahead of his time and passed way before his time.
His legacy is cemented and celebrated in the new movie Bob Marley: One Love. Kingsley Ben-Adir stars as Bob Marley with Lashana Lynch as his wife Rita Marley in a film that follows his rise to fame during the 1970s up until he died in 1981. The question is, can the film do the man justice with this biopic and hit the musical heights? Or is the film one long bum note from start to finish?
PREMISE
The film celebrates the life and music of an icon who inspired generations through his message of love and unity. On the big screen for the first time, discover Bob’s powerful story of overcoming adversity. And the journey behind his revolutionary music. Produced in partnership with the Marley family and starring Kingsley Ben-Adir as the legendary musician. And Lashana Lynch as his wife Rita, the biopic is in cinemas on February 14, 2024.
THOUGHTS
The film is a mixed bag to be fair. Don’t get me wrong, it features some outstanding, Oscar-worthy performances, a superb throwback to the 1970s with its set designs and production values. And of course, it features an absolutely brilliant soundtrack, full to bursting with some of Marley’s biggest and best-loved songs. But it skips over quite a lot of what happened in Marley’s life during this period. Just when you think the film is going to go out on a huge high, it ends abruptly. Despite showing footage of the real Bob Marley over the end credits, the film as a whole feels like an extended documentary at times.
Let me put it another way. We get to Marley’s triumphant return to Jamaica to perform in front of his home fans, his fellow countrymen and women. He steps on stage. We are ready for a reconstruction of one of Marley’s greatest concerts ever. Instead, the screen cuts to black and onscreen text tells us the legend died on the 11th of May, 1981 from cancer. The text tells us more about his legacy after his death alongside the aforementioned real footage of the artist. But it isn’t enough. It also feels as if we are being told only what the family want us to know. And it diminishes the film.
THE ACTING
Kingsley Ben-Adir delivers a world-class, Oscar-worthy performance as Marley. And that is no lie. From the minute we see him as the legend, Ben-Adir is totally believable. We can actually believe that we are seeing the real Bob Marley up on the screen. For the entire running time of the movie, Ben-Adir gives the world a performance that just can’t be beaten or equalled. Every movement, quirk, expression, and performance the actor delivers is a masterclass. We know how the story will end, and prepare ourselves for it. But at the same time, we revel in something that rightly should be at least acknowledged next year at the awards ceremonies. His performance is that good, that strong. And the actor never puts a foot wrong.
Lashana Lynch as Rita Marley is almost as good. The actress portrays the wife and backing singer to her husband in a performance that again deserves award recognition. Her attention to detail, and her masterful portrayal of Rita is possibly the actress’ best-ever performance. She is the perfect accompaniment to Ben-Adir’s Marley from the start. The way she handles the drama, the music, and the loving relationship off-stage is exemplary. Between her and Ben-Adir, the pair make for the perfect duo to play the main characters, doing them both justice. She plays off of Ben-Adir’s energy and adds to it in her own superb way.
JAMES NORTON
James Norton as Chris Blackwell, the man who helped forge Marley’s career gives an outstanding performance. His dedication and endless energy he puts into his role cannot be understated. Blackwell has produced many great albums in his time including Marley’s Catch A Fire and Uprising. Norton brings the man to the world and to life with charm, emotion, and a brilliant understanding of who he is portraying, doing Blackwell justice as well as complimenting the man in general. His scenes with Ben-Adir, Lashana Lynch and the rest of Marley’s band bring a genuine sense of joy to proceedings.
OTHER CAST MEMBERS
The rest of the cast who make up Marley’s bandmates and backing singers give their all in their roles. Of these, Sevana as Judy Mowatt, one of the members of the I Threes, the trio of backing vocalists for Bob Marley & The Wailers, Hector Lewis as the late Carlton Carly Barret, and Tosin Cole as the late Tyrone Downie excel. All three give the performances of their lives here. Every one of them has delved deep into their characters and has played them to almost perfection. The scenes where Marley and his band are recording their music, and the concert scenes themselves are where we get the most enjoyment. But the look at them we get of them off stage is enlightening.
THE DIRECTION
The direction from Reinaldo Marcus Green is assured. Green shows the dourness of 1970s London, and the rich color of Jamaica perfectly. He contrasts the two countries look superbly. One minute, we are looking at beautiful, sunny, colorful Jamaica, the next, we see a rainy, drab, uninspiring London. The contrast is disturbing but completely accurate. Green frames his scenes and shots, directs his cast, and gives the film an authentic look which fits the film to a tee. The way he manages to drag performances this good out of his cast proves he is a superb filmmaker. And again, awards recognition should be coming his way.
THE WRITING
The screenplay by Green, Terence Winter, Frank E. Flowers, and Zach Baylin, from a story by Winter and Flowers is pretty good for the main part. It covers the era really well, bringing events from the period to us to good effect. However, as I have said, the screenplay skips over a lot of Marley’s life, stuff that may not add much to the overall depth of the film, but events that could have given the audience an even better look at the life of an icon, and a better understanding of who he was.
Instead, we are given what is essentially a highlights reel of the legend during the final years of his life. It does cover Marley’s cancer diagnosis, and his refusal to have his toe amputated, which was against his religious beliefs and led to his eventual death. But it only pays a passing nod to how Marley was ripped off financially by someone he trusted, a scene that shocks the audience but is casually glossed over.
THE MUSIC
The music the film contains, I really don’t need to praise. It does it all by itself. Some of the best music that Bob Marley ever recorded and released is here for a new generation to hear, experience and fall in love with. We get to discover the roots of Marley’s quite exceptional album, Exodus and we hear some of it during the film. If the audience is a Marley fan, they will find it hard not to burst into song and join in with the icon. There are many occasions where we not only hear and feel the music, we experience it over and again. Many may feel hard-pressed to not feel emotional as they see the music recreated on screen. And they can be forgiven for belting out One Love as the film ends.
VERDICT
Despite its faults with the screenplay, Bob Marley: One Love is a worthy movie celebrating the final years of a true legend. It does provide some emotional moments throughout. One of which is the real footage of the One Love Peace Concert. Marley made an effort to calm warring parties that had been fighting for years. Near the end of the performance, by Marley’s request, Michael Manley (leader of the then-ruling People’s National Party) and his political rival Edward Seaga (leader of the opposing Jamaica Labour Party) joined each other on stage and shook hands. It is a moment of history that is incredible to see on the screen. Knowing what we are seeing is true, and how Marley tried his hardest for his fellow Jamaicans, almost brings us to tears.
With performances that will astound the audience, music that will have everyone wanting to join in, and real-life footage played over the end credits, the film could and should have been the ultimate tribute to a pioneer of reggae music. Sadly, it comes across as a good attempt but one that fails to live up to expectations. If only the writers had the faith to really bring us the final years of an icon’s life in full, the film would be something that wipes the floor with other musical biopics.
And possibly become one of the finest biopics ever made and committed to film. Instead, it is a good, rather than great effort. That being said, it will definitely find its audience and will divide critical opinions. Sit back and allow the music of an icon to wash over you once again. Despite its faults, Every Little Thing Gonna Be Alright.
Bob Marley: One Love will be released by Paramount Pictures on February 14th.
Clip Source: Paramount Pictures
Introducing Carl! As the News Editor at Future of the Force, Carl has been an invaluable member of our team since early 2016. His expertise and dedication have made him an integral part of our editorial staff. Beyond his professional role, Carl is a fervent supporter of Liverpool F.C. and an avid follower of pop culture. He has a deep passion for Halloween, Friday the 13th, and the iconic movie franchises Star Wars and Star Trek.
He can be found either at his neighborhood cinema, enjoying the latest releases on the big screen, or at home streaming the newest blockbuster movies.
