‘Bob Marley: One Love’ Review Kingsley Ben-Adir Is Magnificent As The Reggae Icon

Bob Marley lived a short life, yet he left an undeniable mark on Jamaica and the world. He brought Reggae music into the mainstream and ascended to megastardom, yet he remained remarkably humble. Despite his immense fame, he used his platform to spread a message of peace and love through his music. This was especially significant during Jamaica’s turbulent late 70s, a period marked by political unrest, violence, and hate that brought the country to the brink of civil war. Marley’s music served as a beacon of hope during these tumultuous times.

A biopic for Bob Marley was always going to be a daunting task. On one hand, there are the musical purists who crave a deep exploration of his artistry and creative process. On the other hand, those who view Marley as a revolutionary may expect a more politically charged film. Director Reinaldo Marcus Green faced the difficult task of balancing these expectations, resulting in a cautious portrayal of the reggae icon. The film neither delves deeply into his musical genius nor fully explores his political impact, striking a delicate balance between the two.

One Love opens in 1976, at a time when Marley (Kingsley Ben-Adir) is a national icon amidst civil unrest in Jamaica. Two political parties vie for power, leading to violence spilling onto the streets. In an effort to unite the country, Marley organises a free concert called ‘Smile Jamaica’. But after an incident at Marley’s home, he and his family are forced to leave the country out of fear for their lives. Marley’s wife, Rita (Lashana Lynch), takes the children to the US, while Marley departs for London.

In London, Marley’s career takes a turn under the guidance of his manager, Chris Blackwell (James Norton). With a shift in the style of his music, Bob Marley and his band, The Wailers, produce the album ‘Exodus,’ propelling Marley to international superstardom. The album elevates his fame to another level in Europe and they embark on a huge European tour.

Bob Marley is undeniably one of the most remarkable musicians to ever live. However, unfortunately, we don’t get much of an insight into his musical genius in the film, which may leave some fans feeling shortchanged. ‘Exodus’ was Marley’s ninth studio album, yet the film may lead you to believe it was one of his first, given how much of his early career it skips. Although ‘Exodus’ propelled him to another level, he already had significant fame in the USA and was an icon in Jamaica.

The film is set between 1976, when Marley leaves due to the political unrest, and 1978, his return for the ‘One Love’ peace concert. Throughout the film, we get glimpses into Marley’s early life and childhood traumas. We also witness the formation of his band as they tout their talents in pursuit of a record deal. However, these glimpses are extremely brief and offer no real explanations, providing only a small window into his experiences.

Kingsley Ben-Adir delivers a fearless performance; he captures Marley’s mannerisms to perfection.

In the lead role, British actor Kingsley Ben-Adir delivers a fearless performance; he captures Marley’s mannerisms to perfection. Despite bearing no physical resemblance to the reggae superstar, with a full head of dreadlocks and a thick Jamaican accent, Ben-Adir completely vanishes, embodying Bob Marley. He’s electric on stage and on screen. Alongside Ben-Adir, Lashana Lynch is equally compelling as his wife, Rita. Overall, the acting is superb.

Hats off to the cast for their impressive mastery of the Jamaican accent, particularly Jamaican Patois. There are no Disney Jamaican accents here; the Patois is in full flow, showcasing serious craftsmanship.

Made with the blessing of Marley’s family, Bob Marley: One Love is a respectful and solid biopic. However, Green fails to be daring, keeping the viewer at a safe distance. Only exposing us to a brief window of Bob Marley’s life means we learn nothing we didn’t already know before. There’s no gritty insight into the real emotional state of the man during some of Jamaica’s toughest times and his own catastrophic health problems.

Watch One Love for Kingsley Ben-Adir’s beautiful performance, one he should be forever proud of. But in the end, music is Bob Marley’s legacy, the breathtaking rendition of ‘Redemption Song’ and the soundtrack alone justify the price of admission.

Bob Marley: One Love is now playing in cinemas worldwide.

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