Bob Marley: One Love Review - Kinglsey Ben-Adir gives a powerhouse performance in a moving biopic
Image courtesy of Paramount Pictures
On Tuesday, February 6th, I was invited by Paramount Pictures to attend the official media screening of the highly anticipated biopic, Bob Marley: One Love in London. Now that the review embargo has been lifted, read my thoughts on an equally heartbreaking and uplifting look at one of music’s most inspirational figures, with an outstanding performance from Kingsley Ben-Adir being a highlight.
Unlike most biopics that detail an influential figure’s eventual rise to the peak of their powers, from their early years growing up, and the ups and downs that follow along the way, One Love takes a different, more nonlinear approach to great effect. The film begins in 1977, with Marley (Played by Kingsley Ben Adir) already a huge established star in both Jamaica and across the world and places viewers in one of the most turbulent years of the Godfather of Reggae’s career, where an assassination attempt almost takes his and his wife Rita’s (Played by Lashana Lynch) lives.
Image courtesy of Paramount Pictures
Clocking at an hour and forty-four minutes, this bold and traumatic opening sets the tone for a tremendous pace from the ‘King Richard’ director, Reinaldo Marcus Green, which never lets up throughout its run time. We explore Marley’s defiance in the face of adversity, and his consistently uplifting sense of hope for a more peaceful world over a troubling, yet revolutionary four-year period, before his tragic death in 1981. Brief glimpses of his life growing up are shown through numerous flashbacks throughout, but this is no origin story, Green wants us to see through the eyes of Bob and Rita through this specific timespan.
Image courtesy of Paramount Pictures
While playing someone with huge historical significance is something that Kingsley Ben-Adir isn’t a stranger to, (Having portrayed Barack Obama in The Comey Rule & Malcolm X in One Night in Miami), the Barnet-born actor made it no secret how daunting the idea of portraying Marley was in interviews leading up to the film, even to the point he turned down the role altogether initially. The immense passion, care, and consideration that Ben-Adir has put into Marley’s mannerisms, idiosyncrasies, voice, and overall behaviour radiates off the screen, akin to Rami Malek’s performance as Freddie Mercury in Bohemian Rhapsody. Any identification of Ben-Adir disappears and it is ultimately the embodiment and essence of Marley I could see on screen, which is the biggest compliment he can get for a truly brilliant performance.
The attempt on Bob and Rita’s life is something that understandably haunts both throughout the film and the beauty in which both Ben-Adir and Lynch showcase each character’s constant emotional presence, encouragement, and unconditional love for each other in the most challenging of times is a testament to both actors on-screen chemistry and commitment to their roles. The relationship between Bob and Rita is the heart and spirit of the film and highlights the impact Rita had on Bob’s musical success and as a figure of positive political change.
Image courtesy of Paramount Pictures
A particular scene that stood out for me was when the pair discuss Marley’s gut-wrenching cancer diagnosis and Marley questions - How has he only ever known struggle? When all he has done is preach peace? When will his peace come? In this scene alone, the pure weight and pain of Marley’s selfless pursuit of fighting for a more peaceful world is encompassed in that moment and it is Rita who realigns his confidence in continuing that pursuit, ultimately leading to the final stage of his iconic tour of his beloved album, Exodus.
The scenes which showcase The ‘Three Little Birds’ singer jamming with The Wailers to create the iconic album are also a highlight, showcasing the truly one-of-a-kind talent in storytelling Marley had and his incredible ability to create long-lasting classics through group improvisation is truly breathtaking to observe.
Marley and Rita’s warm and open hearts with a belief in a greater human spirit shines through thanks to outstanding performances from Kingsley Ben-Adir and Lashana Lynch in this perfectly paced biopic. One Love will undoubtedly open up the brilliance of Bob Marley to a new generation musically and will serve as an important study on a legend’s drive for peace and justice, whose legacy will be forever remembered.
4/5
Watch Bob Marley: One Love in cinemas across the UK on 14th February 2024.