Bob Marley: One Love

 There were a lot of things that I didn't understand when I was younger. One of them was that Reggae superstar and constant radio presence Bob Marley died in 1981, a mere five years before I was born. His was a name I heard quite a bit of as a youngster, and now, he lives again in a biopic, Bob Marley: One Love. Let's see how it is.

It all starts in 1976 when post-colonial Jamaica is threatened with civil war. Bob (Kingsley Ben-Adir) and his band, the Wailers, prepare to perform at the Smile Unity Concert to help bring their people together. Bob, his wife Rita (Lashana Lynch), and the Wailers are targeted by political assassins. They survive and perform a 90-minute set piece at the concert. Bob and the Wailers flee Jamaica for London, while Rita and her kids head off to the United States. The rest of the movie has Bob & the Wailers compose their greatest album, Exodus, while Bob has periodic flashbacks of his pre-fame life. He and Rita argue and reconcile by the time he develops the skin cancer that would eventually kill him.

There's quite a bit to learn about Bob during the film's 104 minutes. In the flashbacks alone, we learn about his white father Norval (Daniel Menville, Jr.), how he met Rita, how he was influenced by his Rastafarian faith, and, my personal favorite, how the Wailers impressed gruff producer Coxsonne Dodd (Jeff Crosley). In the present, we see Bob and the Wailers get the idea for Exodus after listening to Ernest Gold's soundtrack from the same-named movie. Later, Bob and manager Donald Taylor (Anthony Welsh) get into an argument over finances. Anyone barely familiar with Bob's life will be intrigued with what they learn here.

Any negatives? Bob has a recurring nightmare of his younger self running through a burning field. Is that based on something that happened? I don't think it says. A few names get lost in the shuffle, primarily publicist Howard Bloom (Michael Gandolfini), or even the recently deceased Aston "Family Man" Barrett (his actual son, Aston Barrett Jr). I had to look up a few names researching this review, and what I found was interesting to learn. I'm willing to give it another shot when it comes to home media to see what I missed.

Ben-Adir is quite lively and likable as Bob. On-stage, Bob's actual vocals are used on the soundtrack, which makes for a setlist as lively as his dancing. He tries his best to keep a high spirit off-stage, especially when he sings Three Little Birds to his sons (including Ziggy, played here by Xavier Woolry, who also produces the film) a-capella. That he was nearly assassinated by his own countrymen wounds him more than any bullets ever did. His ego-driven argument with Rita tests his audience sympathy, but we're on his side when he's humbled by the grim diagnosis. It may be a familiar plotline, but Ben-Adir's performance helps ease the audience through it all. 

Yes, Bob Marley: One Love covers many familiar biopic tropes. It will still satisfy anyone who came for the music of its long-deceased superstar. It's a good place to introduce someone to his music; both Bob's songs and Kris Bower's score make for great listening. There's some great makeup and hairstyling work that could easily make next year's Oscar shortlist. Don't worry about some bad reviews. It's worth seeing with a good-sized crowd in a theatre, or with a few friends once it makes it to home media. See what I mean when you see it soon.