The political turmoil shrouding Jamaica in 1976 provided the backdrop for the Bob Marley biopic One Love starring Kingsley Ben-Adir as the iconic reggae superstar.
One Love follows the route taken by past bio flicks Bohemian Rhapsody (2018), Whitney Houston: I Wanna Dance with Somebody (2022), and Elvis (2022), where the narrative focuses on particular periods in the subject's life.
In this case, director Reinaldo Marcus Green (Monsters and Men, King Richard) and co-writers Terence Winter, Frank E. Flowers, and Zach Baylin zeroed in on how politics and an assassination attempt on Bob forced the singer-songwriter to flee, fueling the creation of the seminal record Exodus, and the birth of the legend that we know today.
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THE MAIN ACTOR
Kingsley does a decent job of imbibing Bob's magnetic personality and stage presence.
His portrayal shines in the subtle nuances, capturing Bob's moments of introspection and vulnerability.
Bob Marley is played by Kingsley Ben-Adir, while his wife Rita is played by Lashana Lynch
THE NARRATIVE AND TREATMENT
Whether it's the scene showing the musician in a London jail or the quiet moments at home, alone with a book or a guitar in hand, these scenes capture Bob's humanity as channeled by Kingsley.
Being a biopic featuring actors, the film sometimes exaggerates Bob as this larger-than-life persona; the coolest guy in the room churning out song ideas in a heartbeat.
In biopics about musicians, the song creation process often undergoes dramatic embellishments, despite the reality being more mundane and uneventful, marked occasionally by genuine eureka moments.
One Love is no exception, but it helps build excitement and anticipation and underscores the breakthrough role played by Exodus in Bob's career and legacy.
The movie benefits from the support of Bob's estate, led by the singer-songwriter's widow Rita Marley, played by Lashana Lynch, meaning the filmmakers gained authorized access to use Bob's songs throughout the film, which is always a plus.
Similarly, the involvement of Bob's family lends a layer of authenticity to the narrative, although it does not necessarily guarantee complete accuracy.
On the flip side, you also get the feeling that certain aspects of Bob's personality, as presented in the film, are sanitized, depriving the character of edge and flaws that could add depth into the portrayal.
To be fair, the film alludes to Bob's weakness for women and his inclination towards extramarital affairs, though not in a fully explicit manner.
We hear this during a heated argument where Rita slams her husband for making her take care of his children from other women.
THE VERDICT
Bob Marley: One Love is a good starting point for anyone who wants to know the Jamaican music legend.
The movie doesn't exactly delve deep into Bob's personality and flaws, but it touches on a critical flashpoint in the musician's life: how he rose to worldwide fame and utilized this to rally Jamaicans in their quest for peace.
Additionally, Bob Marley: One Love shows how deeply Bob cared about his music, its message, and the belief that it could mend societal and political divisions.
Bob Marley didn't just preach, he lived by example, and his songs were more than just empty rhetoric—they were sincere expressions of real issues he understood from the heart.
Bob Marley: One Love is now showing in SM cinemas nationwide.