#REVIEW: “BOB MARLEY: ONE LOVE”

By Mr. Will Wong

Director Reinaldo Marcus Green already has proven that he is a superb storyteller and 2021’s KING RICHARD speaks for itself, going on to garner widespread acclaim and Oscar glory.  He’s back exploring another fascinating subject matter in BOB MARLEY: ONE LOVE, but does lightning strike again for the talented Filmmaker?

Green teams with Screenwriters Terence Winter, Frank E. Flowers and Zach Baylin and we begin by witnessing the iconic Singer-Songwriter on the verge of international stardom. Feuding among opposing parties has placed his native Jamaica in tumultuous times. Marley (Kingsley Ben-Adir) sets out to organize a pro-peace concert. He soon finds his family and friends the targets of a violent home invasion, leading him to plant his roots in London, where he and his band The Wailers are inspired and re-invigorated, set on honouring the Rastafarian religious movement, with the goal eventually to play in Africa.

It is the Music that Marley and his band make in the late ’70s here which would go on to impact the world, but the period isn’t without challenges. Marley is away from his beloved wife and backing vocalist Rita (Lashana Lynch). Their time apart causes some strain in their relationship. All the while Marley must assert authority over his creativity and business affairs as others circle into his network. He’s unable to return to the place he calls home out of concern for his own safety, but his greatest threat however winds up being his health.

BOB MARLEY: ONE LOVE isn’t without its faults. Its problems however, have little to do with its star, Ben-Adir.  He fully embodies Marley‘s essence and acts as a vessel to the icon’s sheer vibrance, particularly in the Film’s musical numbers. He is mesmerizing and we are fully immersed into these moments, and this is part of the problem. The decision to cut frequently to flashbacks does the Film no favours in terms of flow and balance.  Perhaps too much of the Film is spent honouring Marley‘s musical genius, that other critical parts of the story don’t get their due diligence, including visiting his childhood where he was left with a lifetime of coping in being rejected by his father. We also wonder what drove Marley to devote himself to a Rastafarian lifestyle, in addition to his relationship with Rita being told in pieces. Lynch is phenomenal, but sadly underutilized. The Film very subtly touches upon his infidelity without truly exploring it, and this is done out of protection from his family who are closely attached to the project as Producers.

That being said, BOB MARLEY: ONE LOVE only scratches the surface in ways of a complex man who lived a simple life.  We walked away feeling uplifed and in awe of Ben-Adir’s outstanding work, but oddly still feel like we don’t truly know him.

Paramount Pictures Canada release BOB MARLEY: ONE LOVE on Valentine’s Day.