“Bob Marley: One Love” is not just a Bob Marley biopic

Many stories have been written and filmed about Bob Marley over the years. That in itself invites the new production, Bob Marley: One Love, to criticism. How accurate is it, how … groundbreaking is it as a historic film, will the actors do justice to the legends? Leaving the theatre in the early afternoon Toronto media folks seemed impressed, discussing various emotional moments in hashed tones. “I even cried a little,” I overhear an attendee share with the publicity team.

Bob Marley: One Love (directed by Reinaldo Marcus Green) is a story of overcoming adversity but not just for Bob Marley (Kingsley Ben-Adir) himself, his wife Rita (Lashana Lynch), his bandmates The Wailers, and of course the people of Jamaica. The film is bookended with two performances, Smile Jamaica and One Love Peace Concert, starting at war and ending with peace and the promise of a better future. For some. At this point, we already know that Bob’s life is on a shortened timeline.

The days and months surrounding these two events take the viewer on the turmoil journey through Marley’s life. Through a series of ‘real-time’ events and a collection of flashbacks, we get to know Bob and Rita through love, struggle, and fame as individuals and as a couple. In many ways, the February 14th release date is an excellent choice.

The film is a Bob Marley biopic but Bob Marley: One Love, is about more than one man. In essence, it is a film about music, history, blackness, and relationships. Whichever lens you view it from it will be a film worth watching.

Learn more and find a screening near you on OneLoveMovie.com

About the music:

The film soundtrack includes 17 classic recordings by Bob Marley and the Wailers. The music on the Bob Marley: One Love soundtrack is drawn from several of the Island albums that launched Marley to stardom: Catch a Fire (1973), Burnin’ (1973), Rastaman Vibration (1976), Exodus (1977), Kaya (1978), and Uprising (1980). Listen to the Original Motion Picture Soundtrack on your favourite streaming platform.

Anthony Welsh, Director Reinaldo Marcus Green, James Norton, Ziggy Marley, Kingsley Ben-Adir, Lashana Lynch, and Tosin Cole attend the UK Premiere of “Bob Marley: One Love” at the BFI IMAX Waterloo on January 30, 2024, in London, England (photo by Antony Jones/Getty Images for Paramount Pictures).

Image credits: Cover image: Kingsley Ben-Adir as Bob Marley in ‘One Love.’ (Paramount Pictures); Image of Bob and Rita: Lashana Lynch as Rita Marley and Kingsley Ben-Adir as Bob Marley in “Bob Marley: One Love.” (Chiabella James/Paramount Pictures).