Reggae legend Bob Marley gets the biopic treatment, with Kingsley Ben-Adir playing the lead role after a year-long, globe-spanning search by the producers. Does he do the Wailer justice? At the very least, is the music good?
How to watch Bob Marley: One Love in New Zealand
Bob Marley: One Love is in New Zealand cinemas now.
Bob Marley: One Love
What is Bob Marley: One Love about?
Directed by Reinaldo Marcus Green (King Richard), Bob Marley: One Love takes us through a tumultuous and crucial period in the revered singer and activist’s life. It kicks off in 1976 when Marley has just made it big in the US market, taking us through the recording of the landmark album, Exodus, and culminating in the just-as-landmark 1978 One Love Peace Concert.
Along the way there’s political turmoil in divided Jamaica, personal struggle for Marley as he’s divided between his role as a peacemaker and the pleasures of fame, and a lot of really, really great tunes.
The cast of Bob Marley: One Love
As we mentioned, Kingsley Ben-Adir is Bob Marley, with Quan-Dajai Henrique as teenage Bob and Nolan Collignon as pre-teenage Bob. Lashana Lynch is Rita Marley, James Norton is Island Records main man Chris Blackwell, Tosin Cole is Tyrone Downie, Aston Barrett Jr. is Aston “Family Man” Barrett, Anthony Welsh is Don Taylor, Sevana is Judy Mowatt, Hector Lewis is Carlton “Carly” Barrett, Michael Gandolfini is Howard Bloom, and Nadine Marshall is Cedella Malcolm, Bob’s mother.
Bob Marley: One Love trailer
What are the critics saying about Bob Marley: One Love?
Well, sad to say, the reviews so far have been middling to poor, with many noting that is yet another by-the-numbers authorised biopic that wilfully elides some of the thornier and more problematic elements of its subject (see also: Bohemian Rhapsody).
Still, Kingsley Ben-Adir has been getting lauded for his committed performance, even though he looks absolutely northing like the real Marley, as has Lashanna Lynch for her dignified turn as the faithful but long-suffering Rita. Fans will get something out of it, but committed dread-heads will be frustrated by the omissions.
