While Bob Marley had passed before I was born – I’ve still heard his music cycled through almost every facet of pop culture until now.
And, I’ll likely continue hearing it.
That being said, I wasn’t aware of how Marley rose form his humble beginnings in Jamaica to the icon he was at his death in 1981.
“Bob Marley: One Love” is a biographical drama movie along the same vein as “Bohemian Raphsody” (2018), “Rocketman” (2019), “Elvis”(2022), and “Walk the Line” (2005).
I have to say that if you weren’t a fan of those or have any interest in such films then you won’t enjoy this as much as I did.
Overall, I think it gave a great snapshot of Marley’s personal struggles and meteoric rise to fame while he faced trials at almost every turn of his life.
Plus, I always find it interesting to see what motivates musicians to craft and refine their music over the years.
One Love is a 2024 American biographical drama film based on the life of reggae singer and songwriter Bob Marley, played by Kingsley Ben-Adir, from his rise to fame in the mid-1970s up until his death in 1981.
The film is directed by Reinaldo Marcus Green, who co-wrote the screenplay with Terence Winter, Frank E. Flowers, and Zach Baylin.
It also stars Lashana Lynch, Anthony Welsh, and James Norton.
The movie clocks in at 104 minutes long and rated PG-13 for marijuana use and smoking throughout, some violence and brief strong language.
In 1976, amidst political conflict that is affecting daily life in Jamaica, Bob Marley (Ben-Adir) announces he will perform at a concert promoting peace amongst the warring factions.
While preparing for the concert, Marley, his wife Rita (Lynch), and several other members of his band are shot by assailants.
Rita and Marley are hospitalized but survive and recover from their injuries in time for the concert.
After performing, Marley, saddened that his own countrymen would try to kill him and his wife, shows the crowd his bullet wounds before walking off stage.
He tells Rita to take their children to Delaware in the United States and stay with his mom, as he and the rest of his band venture to London.
After struggling to come up with a new album concept, Marley asks Rita to rejoin him and the band in England.
One day, while hearing the “Exodus” (1960) film soundtrack, Marley feels inspired by it and their own situation, he and the band begin recording what would become their album of the same name.
The album becomes a hit and helps further popularize reggae music and the Rastafari movement around the world.
When the recording company schedules a tour in Europe, Marley also aims for stops throughout Africa to inspire the people there.
This leads to friction with Rita as she and Marley argue about his responsibilities and both his and Rita’s infidelities, in addition to having given up on promoting peace back in Jamaica.
Marley also gets into an altercation with manager Don Taylor (Welsh) over a financial dispute.
From there Marley seems to get more bad news and falls into a depression spell.
But, Marley does find his motivation and personal peace in order to make the best of the rest of his life.
Overall, I enjoyed the film and how it portrayed Marley’s work resolving his personal issues, relationships with his band members, religious views, and growth as an artist.
Check out One Love on the big screen now and learn more about Marley!
