In the middle to late 1970’s the island country of Jamaica was involved in Civil War. I recently went to watch the film Bob Marley: One Love with a person who was there at the time of what she referred to as the Gun Wars. Her take on the film was that everything she saw on the big screen looked authentic.
Being there she said was a very chilling time. And reports of Bob Marley having to deal with threats and being shot because he used his music to try to bring the country together, were real. She said it brought back some scary times. As for my take on the events taking place in the film, Bob Marley’s rise to fame and the depiction of his personal life makes this film the first award contender. I found it gripping, inspiring, and powerful.
It’s the 1970’s and there is total unrest in Jamaica with two political parties, the Jamaican Labour Party and the People’s National Party, warring against each other for control of the island in the Caribbean. Amidst the troubling dilemma one man, Bob Marley, rises above the conflict with his music in an attempt to bring the people of his country together. Seen as a negative among the two factions who want power, Marley is a target that will get hit in many ways. While fleeing his beloved land he digs deeper into his tunes and becomes noted for his music and love of country worldwide.
Directed by Reinaldo Marcus Green (“King Richard”), takes on every challenging situation that Bob Marley faced during the period of unrest. He makes the film a celebration of one of the world’s greatest Icons in both music and fighting for peace. It’s a show about facing adversity, discrimination, and controversy while trying to encourage peace and unity. He makes Bob Marley: One Love a winner and the movie to see for 2024.
The acting, especially the performance by Kingsley Ben-Adir as Bob Marley, is outstanding. Depicting the singer/songwriter complete with stature and accent, it’s like déjà vu. He becomes a man who loves his country and family so much he never quits even after being shot, under extreme pressure from injury, and being persecuted. Check out Ben-Adir’s vocal of the Title song during the credits.
Bob Marley: One Love has been rated PG-13 by the MPAA for marijuana use and smoking throughout, some violence, and brief strong language. Young adults and up is the target audience for the film and the movie hits the bullseye.
Additional Film Information:
Cast: Kingsley Ben-Adir, Lashana Lynch, James Norton, Chris Blackwell,
Directed by: Reinaldo Marcus Green
Genre: Biography, Drama, Music
MPAA Rating: PG-13 for marijuana use and smoking throughout, some violence and brief strong language
Running Time: 1 hr. 44 min.
Opening Date: February 14, 2024
Distributed by: Paramount Pictures
Released in: Theaters