Director: Reinaldo Marcus Green
“Bob Marley: One Love” is a 2024 biopic that, while promising to capture the essence of Bob Marley, falls into many familiar traps of the genre. Directed by Reinaldo Marcus Green, the film aims to depict key moments from Marley’s life, especially focusing on the period surrounding the assassination attempt in 1976 and his subsequent work on the legendary Exodus album. While these events form the backbone of the narrative, many critics agree that the film struggles to dive deep into Marley’s complex persona.
Kingsley Ben-Adir’s portrayal of Marley is a highlight, with many praising his dedication to embodying both Marley’s distinctive physicality and his Patois dialect. However, some reviewers feel that Ben-Adir’s performance, while technically proficient, lacks the raw emotional spontaneity that might have brought Marley’s soul-stirring music to life in a more visceral way. The actor’s control sometimes prevents a true sense of liberation in scenes where Marley would have been lost in his music.
The film excels visually, with cinematographer Robert Elswit capturing the warmth and vibrancy of Jamaica, and the concert sequences are staged with a sense of grandeur. Still, some feel these scenes lean toward being formulaic, failing to evoke the true spirit of Marley’s music or his political influence. The jamming sessions, however, stand out as moments where the film truly lets its guard down, offering a glimpse of the creative genius behind hits like Exodus.
While the film doesn’t shy away from addressing Marley’s Rastafarian beliefs and political struggles, these aspects of his life feel more like backdrops than fully realized themes. Some critics argue that One Love often sacrifices depth for a polished but surface-level narrative. The relationship between Marley and his wife, Rita (played by Lashana Lynch), is another area where the film misses the mark. Though Lynch delivers a strong performance, the emotional complexities of their marriage, especially Marley’s infidelities, are explored only in brief, predictable moments.
Ultimately, for fans of Marley’s music, the film offers enough to enjoy, from the soundtrack to the performances, but it does not break any new ground or provide much insight beyond what is already well known. For a figure as iconic as Bob Marley, One Love delivers a respectful, if somewhat restrained, portrayal that might leave audiences wanting a more unfiltered and nuanced look at his life.