Bob Marley has become something of a myth. His face can be found on every piece of merchandise imaginable, scattered throughout every Caribbean island tourist shop. His voice rings through radios and commercials in songs like Three Little Birds and One Love. Marijuana, Rastafari culture, the colors red, yellow and green themselves—they're all common associations. This is why Bob Marley: One Love has the chance to be a valuable experience for audiences. It can help demystify the man, the legend. It can be a formal introduction to one of the 20th century’s most important figures. It can show us Marley’s deeply spiritual side and the human he was, informed by perspectives from those who knew him best.
Music biopics come and go. Some stay with us. Most fade. Many have tried to bring Marley’s story to life on the big screen, as reggae archivist and former Marley ally Roger Steffens told me last summer. A stack of old scripts in the corner of his archives proved it (he had no involvement with the making of One Love, though). Now the responsibility sits with director Reinaldo Marcus Green and his leading man, Kingsley Ben-Adir. It’s easy to have confidence in this duo. Green returns after 2021’s hugely successful King Richard, the Best Picture nominee that saw Will Smith win the Oscar for Best Actor. He’s had plenty of time to craft the path One Love will take.
We know it will examine a critical period of Marley’s life, primarily from 1976-1978. This is a great decision since biopics rarely have enough time to fully capture an entire lifetime. With this focused approach, Green can explore 1976’s Smile Jamaica concert, how the assassination attempt on Marley’s life changed everything, the creation of 1977's Exodus, Marley’s exposure to London’s punk scene and what led to 1978’s One Love Peace Concert. Highlighting a pivotal stretch in one’s life can illuminate characteristics or events that defined them and how their lives changed along with the world around them. That’s exactly what One Love can do.
Bringing Marley to life is Kingsley Ben-Adir, a 37-year-old rising star from London. He’s already established himself as a can’t-miss talent. From his turns as real-life figures Malcolm X (One Night in Miami…) and Barack Obama (The Comey Rule), to Marvel’s villainous Gravik (Secret Invasion), he’s proven himself adaptable, charming and ready for a leading role of this stature. Yes, he’s an Englishman playing a Jamaican. No, he doesn’t quite look like Marley. But he’s put in the work. Listen to the trailer. You hear not Ben-Adir’s natural British accent but a dedicated interpretation of the nuances in Marley’s voice. You see an actor who has embraced the lively spirit of Marley—not a copycat, not someone trying to be the Tuff Gong himself. Ben-Adir spoke about this in an interview with Entertainment Weekly:
"Bob’s not someone you can choreograph or copy," Ben-Adir continues. "His singing and dancing is from an internal experience, so you really have to find your own version of that for yourself.”
Ben-Adir understands that Marley’s power came from his spirituality within, a raw power that can’t be replicated. But it can be faithfully recreated. If the trailers are any indication, Ben-Adir is on track to deliver a standout performance. The actor is surrounded by a terrific supporting cast, just like Marley's inner circle in real life.
The wonderful Lashana Lynch steps into Rita Marley’s shoes, where she’ll play a pivotal role in grounding Ben-Adir’s Marley as his wife and a key member of the I Threes trio. Marley had multiple love interests, meaning we’ll also meet Cindy Breakspeare (played by Umi Myers). We’ll meet the brothers who powered the Wailers’ iconic rhythm section, bassist Aston ‘Family Man’ and drummer Carlton ‘Carly’ Barrett. James Norton stands to play one of the film’s key roles as Island Records head Chris Blackwell, the man largely responsible for popularizing Marley and reggae music on an international scale. I’m eager to see how Michael Gandolfini fits into the picture. He’s confirmed to be in the film, but his role isn't known. Much of the film was shot on location in Jamaica and London to feature areas of great significance to Marley. The entire production has a great feel to it so far. Two of Marley's children, Ziggy and Cedella, serve as producers on the film, in addition to Rita.
Bob Marley: One Love must be bold. It must be unafraid to confront the issues that Marley himself fought against. It must reinforce why so many of his songs have a militant charge and why so many are as important now as they were in his day. His music and messages remain timeless, which is why the film can serve a valuable purpose in a modern world filled with conflict and uncertainty. This will be a look back at someone’s life, but in many ways, it can be a look at our present and future. Bob Marley: One Love can be a call to action.
Bob Marley: One Love hits theaters on February 14, 2024