Bob Marley: One Love is a biopic film directed by Reinaldo Marcus Green that tells the story of Jamaican music artist Bob Marley. It was released by Paramount Pictures and later streamed it to Paramount Plus.

Ahead of his Smile Jamaica concert, Bob Marley (Kingsley Ben-Adir), his wife Rita (Lashana Lynch), and his band are attacked with Marley being shot. He survives and performs at the concert, but feels dejected that a Jamaican was responsible. He travels to London and begins work on his ‘Exodus’ album and finds huge success, but illness and betrayal plague him as he travels. As he continues to singing and songwriting, finding a massive welcome in Europe, he is haunted by the shooting, even as he plans to perform in Africa.

First of all, the music was impressive. I am so glad they used Bob Marley’s won music and songs within the Reggae genre to make up the bulk of the soundtrack. Elvis was plagued with modern music that had nothing to do with the King of Rock. It was a massive mistake, but this movie avoids it and keeps you jamming along to it. Kudos to Kris Bowers, who also handled the music for King Richard, for keeping it on the right track.

I also really enjoyed the acting. You can tell that Ben-Adir did his homework for the role. While he did not necessarily resemble Marley, he nailed the part and portrayed him very passionately. Likewise to Lynch who portrayed Lisa. She did an excellent job and was able to balance being the supportive wife, struggling mother, and backup singer to her husband.

As for the movie itself, it was a tough nut to crack. Technically, it is very well done. The camera work is sublime, the scenery is brilliant, and the soundtrack works perfectly. The problem is, it did not truly tell me who Bob Marley was.

It thrusts you into the assassination attempt against him, shows his growth in popularity, and has occasional flashbacks to him. None of this really told me who he was. If you are not familiar with Bob Marley outside of his music, you feel lost and not really connected to him. That is a shame because it there is something to this biopic, but you are never really brought in.

Perhaps if the story had started with his father abandoning him and rising to stardom and then culminating in his success with his “One Love,” it would have helped us connect with him better.

Bottom line, Bob Marley: One Love is technically very well made, but its lack of connection with its subject makes it kind of alright.

PARENTAL CONCERNS: Bloody violence, Foul language, Substance abuse

FAVORITE QUOTE: How I can get peace? I can’t even get peace for myself.

Check out the trailer below:

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