BOB MARLEY: ONE LOVE

US/UK, 2024, 104 minutes, Colour.

Kingsley Ben-Adir, Lashana Lynch, James Norton, Anthony Welsh, Nia Ashi, Michael Gandolfo, Quan-Dajai Henriques.

Directed by Reinaldo Marcus Green.

Bob Marley (1945-1981) was a significant figure in 20^th-century music, the album, Exodus, considered one of the greatest of the century. But Marley was also a significant figure in terms of politics and peacemaking. And, a native of Jamaica, he was a committed Rastafarian.

For those who know Bob Marley and his music, this is an opportunity to be reminded of his story, hear excerpts from many of his songs, see performances. The action takes place between 1976 and 1978, his first attempt at a concert for peace and the union of clashing parties in Jamaica, an attempt on his life, his moving to London, his work with his band, the Wailers, recordings, success, tours, then his return to Jamaica and the celebrated peace concert with the two clashing political leaders on stage with him.

Those who are not familiar with Bob Marley and his music, probably best to do a bit of checking before seeing this film, some Googling, and also finding out a bit about the spirit of Rastafarian beliefs, its beginnings in Jamaica, its spirit and spirituality, the link with the Emperor of Ethiopia, Haile Selassie.

One of the great strengths of this film is the range of songs included, the rhythms, the lyrics.

British actor Kingsley Ben-Adir (remembered by many in 18 episodes of the as coroner, Marcus, then as one of the prominent Kens) enters fully into his performance as Marley, an intense impersonation, is a character, in his relationship with his wife, Rita (Lashana Lynch), with his children – and one of his children, glimpsed in the film, Ziggy Marley, acted as producer of this film (and there are many Marley is in the final credits).

There are flashbacks to Marley’s childhood, his absent white father, his mother, poverty and growing up, his talent for music, the initial encounters with Rita, and early success with his band, recordings. During the action of the film, Marley is in his early 30s, a touch of the mystic, a touch of the roving eye, consumed by the political situation in Jamaica, an attack on his life, a shooting attack on Rita, violent gangs (and a later scene where his assailant asks forgiveness).

James Norton appears as friend, adviser, connection with the record industry, promoter of concerts. At times, in Europe, Marley seems to be lost in the social swirl associated with his fame and concerts. But, ultimately, the return home, peacemaking.

Marley love playing football and suffers an accident, an infected toe, melanoma, cancer complications and his death at 36.

An attempt to honour Marley but, in comparison with other films about musicians and celebrities, this one is rather slighter, briefer.

1. Popularity and status of Bob Marley? In his time? Later? Music, politics, peace? Status in Jamaica, worldwide?
2. Audience knowledge of Bob Marley and his life and career? The information given at the beginning? Flashbacks to his past? 1976-1978, political upheaval, peace concert, attempt on his life, the time in London, recording, success, tours and concerts, lifestyle? Return, the peace concert in 1978, the two Jamaican leaders on stage? Information about his cancer and death?
3. Kingsley Ben-Adir as Bob Marley, impersonation, songs, lip syncing? Personality?
4. Bob Marley and his background, white father, black mother, hard upbringing, Trench Town, talent for music, the encounter with Rita, the bonding, sharing, his music? The adult Bob Marley, Rastafarian and explanations, astral, beliefs, the touch of mysticism? His music, West Indian, reggae, incorporating various strands? Recordings, success, concerts and performance? His personal life, relationships, the bond with Rita, her role as backup singer, the children, the dangers, joining him in London, the tours, the clashes, reconciliations?
5. The overall impression of Bob Marley, as a person, qualities, intentions, demands on musicians, composer, performer, father, husband, political influence?
6. Rita, her personality, the past, the attempt on her life, hospital, Bob spiritual, her recovery, coming back for the concert, the dangers, the threat to the children, coming to England, performance, the money changing for the African tours, the clashes with Bob, the lifestyle with the rich and famous, reconciliation, the return, the children, the final concert?
7. The Wailers, the personalities, musical school, interactions with Bob, calling him Skipper, performances? Dangers? The tours?
8. The world of managers, Chris and his friendship, the dangers in Jamaica, contacts in London, discussions about themes, the issue of Exodus, the cover designs, the final simple design, discussions with the producers, tours, logistics, performance, social meetings?
9. The overall effect on Bob Marley, religious point of view, reading about Haile Selassie, the Rastafarian tradition, the touch of mysticism?
10. The joy of playing football, the musicians, Bob, the accident, his infected toe, the cancer, discussions with the doctors, urge to see doctors? His early death?
11. The effect of learning about Bob Marley and his role in Jamaica, peace? The impact, still, of his music?