How do you capture the essence of a legendary musician like Bob Marley? That is what the new film, Bob Marley One Love attempts to do as it chronicles a pivotal 2 year period in the life of one of the greatest artists of all time. 

Bob Marley One Love Review

Produced by Ziggy, Rita and Cedella Marley and directed by Reinaldo Marcus Green, Bob Marley: One Love opens in a war zone. It’s 1976, and Kingston Jamaica is on the verge of a civil war. This is where we meet Marley (Kingsley Ben-Adir), an apolitical, religious artist who believes he (and his music) can help bring opposing factions, the ruling People’s National Party and the Jamaica Labor Party together. Unfortunately both sides believe that Marley has crossed a line with this Smile Jamaica Concert. After he, his wife Rita (Lashana Lynch), and his manager Don Taylor (Anthony Welsh) survive an attempted assassination in their home, Marley takes the stage to perform. But afterwards knows that it isn’t safe for him, his family, or his bandmates in Jamaica. He leaves to go into exile in the UK while Rita and their children head to the US to be with his mother. This time in the UK led to Marley’s most infamous album– Exodus several years before his life was tragically cut short. 

Bob Marley: One Love attempts the impossible–to capture the essence of the legendary Bob Marley. This was a man who baffled music execs and even his friends and family at times with his actions. One Love explores how the singer used music to promote unity, love, and equality among his people while also addressing his own personal issues. Although the film shies away from some of the more complicated aspects of his personal relationships as well as giving a cursory sweep of his time in the UK, One Love still delivers an uplifting, passionate story that zeroes in on Marley’s message of unity. As a music biopic, the concert scenes as well as the montages of hit songs being created are dynamic, but it is the performances of both Ben-Adir and Lynch that will truly captivate the audience throughout the story. 

Ben-Adir is a talented actor, that is not something I ever doubted nor debated. After all, he is the Ken who managed to steal every scene he graced in Barbie even when he was just hanging out in the background with the other Kens. He absolutely disappears into this role, so much so it is easy to forget you’re not watching footage of the actual Bob Marley. From the mannerisms and stage presence, right down to the accent and charm, Ben-Adir joins the echelon of greatest musician performances with the likes of Val Kilmer as Doors frontman Jim Morrison and Angela Bassett as Tina Turner. Marley’s music is like a spiritual experience which means his concerts were infused with that same kind of otherworldly, peace-filled vibe. Ben-Adir captures Marley’s kinetic energy that attracted people then and now to his music and story. Yet for all the knowing grins he flashes, Ben-Adir also conveys the sense of sadness and loneliness Marley felt thanks to the abandonment he dealt with as a child. 

Lynch equally amazes as the fierce, grounding, rock of a woman that is Rita Marley. She is the quiet in Marley’s storm, the one who kept everything together, encouraging, and reprimanding him as needed. Extramarital indiscretions are acknowledged but never really explored. However it is a testament to Lynch and Ben-Adir that when the two clash over these incidents in Paris, that their anger, frustration, and genuine care for one another still come across perfectly without an adequate setup. The supporting cast fills their roles as expected, James Norton plays Island Records supremo Chris Blackwell in a way that makes him seem decent and not money hungry. Michael Gandolfini, Marley’s publicist plays the clueless, awkward American who doesn’t understand Marley’s vision for Exodus or what he is saying half the time. 

The film does have some weak points. As mentioned, the screenplay by Green, Terence Winter, Frank E. Flowers, and Zach Baylin, carefully steps around the more complicated aspects of Marley’s life – particularly the extramarital affairs of both he and Rita. His time in London never truly explores how the punk scene there fueled Marley’s creativity, leading to Punky Reggae Party and eventually Exodus. There are also several flashbacks used, and while some are beneficial– notably the ones of a young Bob and Rita falling in love as well as certain ones concerning his mother and absent father, others pull focus from an impactful moment. There is one that is repeated a little more than was likely necessary. 

Despite its shortcomings, One Love nails the dynamic feeling of Marley’s music. Sure there are some music biopic clichés that occur, like when jam sessions morph into familiar songs but there is nothing wrong with them. When watching films like this, diehard and casual fans alike want to see these key moments. There is something extremely satisfying as a fan to watch and hear as an album as iconic as Exodus gets put together through haze-filled studio montages. Much like Oliver Stone’s 1991 The Doors, Green is firing on all cylinders when it comes to the concert scenes. Marley had such an infectious charisma on stage and it shines brightly here whether he is playing at the Rainbow Theatre in London’s Finsbury Park or in a field in Jamaica for the One Love Peace Concert. 

Ultimately, Bob Marley: One Love pays tribute to the legendary Bob Marley and his hopes for the world and his people. It may not be as complex a story as the man himself but it still honors his amazing music, talent, and charm that drew the world into his gravity. Ben-Adir gives a career best performance, one that would make Marley proud. At the end of the day, it also serves as a fiery reminder that we should continue his legacy, striving for unity, love, and compassion. 

Bob Marley: One Love is in theaters February 14. It is rated PG-13 for marijuana use and smoking throughout, some violence and brief strong language with a runtime of 104 minutes.