Keeping the Message of Love and Unity – ‘Bob Marley; One Love’

Bob Marley: One Love sets out to celebrate the life and times of icon and legend Bob Marley who through his music was able to spread a powerful message of love and unity. There’s just one catch. If you’re going to see the film to have a great time listening to Marley’s music, allowing your head to swing along to the hi-hat rhythms while your feet tap-tap-tap along to the percussions, you’re in the right spot. However, if you want more depth around the singer and his artistic process, his infidelities, or everyday philosophy, that is an entirely different movie altogether. 

In short, Bob Marley: One Love tells the tale of how the legend brings together warring factions and opposing governments in Jamaica in a way that brings much needed peace and unity. In this unfolding, we also learn that Marley’s road was rough as he and his wife Rita were both shot, leading them to flee Jamaica.

Interestingly enough, this part of the film, where Marley goes to London, and Rita to Ohio shows the important contrast between the two worlds; Jamaica and the UK. Though not a focal part of the movie, we get to see how London has no regard for Black politics be they in Jamaica or Africa and Marley’s push for his message to reach every corner of these exact places. In this way, we are able to see how Marley truly wanted the world to unite. 

Bob Marley was played by British actor Kingsley Ben-Adir who perfectly captured the loving and upbeat nature often portrayed in old interviews. It was also a joy to see Lashana Lynch in the role of Rita Marley and the way she gave and bent to be what Marley needed to further his work. 

While this biopic fails to deliver us a complete version of Marley, it serves as a reminder that love is greater than self and that we exist outside of government and capitalism. The film also serves to introduce the younger generation to Marley’s greatest successes as well as his message.  Featuring 17 of his original songs, Marley’s message of love and unity, helps us better understand  how Marley secured his place as the Rastafari symbol of love and unity in Jamaica and beyond.

Rating: 3 out of 5 stars