UPDATE: Bob Marley: One Love, the film celebrating the life and music of an icon who inspired generations through his message of love and unity, has amassed over $120.6 million (globally) since its release.
‘Bob Marley: One Love’ Review
Some people are born with supreme talent, others acquire it through time.
However attained, talent must be cultivated to achieve maximum potential.
That individual gift needs more than nurturing, though.
I believe it is imperative for the person harboring talent to be caring and benevolent.
The wrong one carrying such a rare blessing can use it for selfish reasons and depending on how significant the talent is, can bring a world to its knees.
Heavy is the head that wears the crown of unique ability.
One man recognized his aptitude and sought to use it as a conduit for equality and peace.
That man was Bob Marley.
Highly respected and revered, his movement is the stuff of legend.
In the new movie, Bob Marley: One Love, Marley attempts to unite enemies under dangerous circumstances.
Is this film “Irie”, or irritating? Let’s go!
Get up, stand up…stand up for your rights!
Bob Marley: One Love stars Kingsley Ben-Adir, Latasha Lynch, and James Norton.
Directed by Reinaldo Marcus Green, this biopic chronicles a specific two-year period in Bob Marley’s life focusing on events leading up to an epic concert.
Marley is a musical legend, loved by millions of all races.
For a time, he was the face of Reggae music, the face of Rastafarianism, but most of all, the face of hope.
To capture any aspect of this giant’s life, let alone all of it as a motion picture, is an impossible task.
Green, who also directed King Richard, tries his best with the help of Ziggy and Rita Marley as consultants.
This movie does not detail Marley’s entire life, so I don’t want you going in with that assumption.
The timeline being focused upon is a major event, however.
Marley’s faith in his own people are tested after a violent encounter as well as his confidence as a leader.
Being appointed a savior is a heavy burden. A superstar is still only human, after all.
The performances are incredible! Ben-Adir’s depiction of Marley astounds.
His mannerisms and patois are exactly like those of the late icon.
His ability to humanize a larger-than-life being makes us understand Marley’s problems and see him as a regular person who just happens to be an immense talent.
His struggles may be larger, but he deals with them as an average person would.
He needs help. That helper is his wife, Rita, played by Lynch.
She is phenomenal, y’all. Rita is his rock, the source of his calmness and strength.
When problems arise, whether by outside influences or Marley himself, she doesn’t waiver, and believe me, her problems be probleming!
The cast is amazing. No one gives half-a$$ performances.
Speaking of performances, the musical scenes are excellent.
We see how talented The Wailers are and why this band is one of the greatest to ever do it.
If you don’t know much about Bob Marley, you’ll learn a little about his life, but those curious about more than album-making sessions and his influence, uh, about that…
Bob Marley: One Love is 1 hour and 47 minutes long.
While that may be ok for an average film, it’s not good for a man of this magnitude.
Flashbacks of Marley’s early life are shown sporadically throughout the movie to give you context and although they are impactful, they’re too short.
Had this film been at least two hours, I believe we could’ve gotten a better understanding of his adolescence and inner struggles.
This omission along with Marley’s own shortcomings do the film a grave injustice.
No one is perfect, and I wish certain aspects of his life could’ve been covered to show it.
Also, the 3rd act is kind of anticlimactic.
When viewing the last scene of the movie, I was like, “Wait a minute. This is it? They’re gonna leave it like this?!”
If you’re like me, you gon’ have a problem with this.
During an interview at a prominent radio station, I saw Ben-Adir express his frustration at the producers cutting out significant portions of scenes.
At least he acknowledges it.
Nonetheless, Bob Marley: One Love is very inspiring and the entire cast shines.
I’m giving it a Morning/midday Co-sign.
This is not a bad film at all, it just didn’t capture the full Bob Marley experience.
It’s good, very good, but not great.
Bob deserves great.
Watch The Trailer
Bob Marley: One Love is now playing in theaters nationwide.
Did you see the film?
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