Reinaldo Marcus Green’s biographical drama focuses on 1976 to 1978, two very important years in Bob Marley’s life.
Kingsley Ben-Adir takes on the Jamaican reggae legend Bob Marley in Reinaldo Marcus Green’s Bob Marley: One Love.
Rather than spanning his entire life, this biographical drama focuses on two dramatic years: 1976 to 1978. It begins with Bob planning to perform at a peace concert in Kingston, Jamaica during a period of political unrest.
Despite an assassination attempt leaving him lightly wounded and his manager and wife Rita (Lashana Lynch) hospitalised, Bob carries out his commitment to the show.
However, he then decides to relocate to London with his band, the Wailers. Without the threat of violence, Bob is able to complete work on his next album, Exodus, and embark on a successful European tour.
After being diagnosed with skin cancer, Bob returns to his homeland for his One Love concert in 1978.
It’s often tricky to fit all the story beats into cradle-to-the-grave biopics so it was a wise decision to focus this film on just two years – that way we can learn about our subject and those pivotal moments with greater depth.
If you don’t know much about Bob, never fear, there are flashbacks to help you fill in the blanks. They aren’t all completely necessary but the ones of a young Bob meeting Rita and The Wailing Wailers performing Simmer Down are worthy of inclusion.
Ben-Adir, who previously portrayed Malcolm X in One Night in Miami, gives a remarkable performance. He embodies Bob’s mannerisms and performance style and his Jamaican patois is realistic and convincing, to the point where it’s often hard to understand.
Lynch holds her own as Rita, his wife and back-up singer, and a scene in which they have it out about Bob’s behaviour really showcases their talents.
Unfortunately, there aren’t enough of those scenes because the film is unwilling to show Bob in a negative light.
It completely skims over the fact he fathered multiple children during his marriage to Rita.
Besides the aforementioned confrontation scene and a brief altercation with his manager, Bob is depicted as a legend who promotes peace, love and unity.
This safe and sanitised approach is no doubt a result of Rita and their children Ziggy and Cedella being producers on the film.
It’s a shame Ben-Adir and Lynch’s impressive performances exist in a film that’s so bland, conventional and forgettable.
In cinemas from Wednesday 14th February.
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