Taking on a crucial period in Reggae legend Bob Marley's life, "Bob Marley: One Love" gives the viewer a view into the world of Jamaica, politics, music and the life of a man. With the scenic tropical backdrop of the Caribbean and cold, grey Europe the film is host to political turmoil, assassination, familial relations and great music.
With good pacing and solid acting the viewer sees through the world of Marley as he emerges from the obscurity of the Third World into international stardom and the triumphs and challenges that come along with it. One of the highlights of the film is the focus on music. Unlike many music documentaries and bioflicks where the music is lost in the narrative the movie focuses on Marley's naturalness as a singer, songwriter and musician. His songwriting gift, his interaction with his bandmates and his wife, his recording sessions and his live experiences are at the forefront of the movie.
Unfortunately the film hits a loud thud where it matters the most. Kingsley Ben-Adir is handsome and charming but fails to capture the real Bob Marley's ebullience and innate optimism, the sparkle in his eye that mirrored his idealism which fuelled the creation of many of his greatest songs. It reminds me of Bradley Cooper's excellent portrayal of Leonard Bernstein in "Maestro" and highlights Ben-Adir's miscast placing. The film should have really been about Marley's entire life and should have been a chronological journey from his youth to his passing. Marley's life was one of the most interesting in music and a figure as important and as singular as he deserved nothing less.
One of the finest films on music, "Bob Marley: One Love" celebrates the life and legacy of a man who is the embodiment of his music and became the hero of his nation. Reggae, music and film fans will dig this.
With good pacing and solid acting the viewer sees through the world of Marley as he emerges from the obscurity of the Third World into international stardom and the triumphs and challenges that come along with it. One of the highlights of the film is the focus on music. Unlike many music documentaries and bioflicks where the music is lost in the narrative the movie focuses on Marley's naturalness as a singer, songwriter and musician. His songwriting gift, his interaction with his bandmates and his wife, his recording sessions and his live experiences are at the forefront of the movie.
Unfortunately the film hits a loud thud where it matters the most. Kingsley Ben-Adir is handsome and charming but fails to capture the real Bob Marley's ebullience and innate optimism, the sparkle in his eye that mirrored his idealism which fuelled the creation of many of his greatest songs. It reminds me of Bradley Cooper's excellent portrayal of Leonard Bernstein in "Maestro" and highlights Ben-Adir's miscast placing. The film should have really been about Marley's entire life and should have been a chronological journey from his youth to his passing. Marley's life was one of the most interesting in music and a figure as important and as singular as he deserved nothing less.
One of the finest films on music, "Bob Marley: One Love" celebrates the life and legacy of a man who is the embodiment of his music and became the hero of his nation. Reggae, music and film fans will dig this.