Bob Marley died at the tender age of just 36 from a rare skin cancer, but his legacy lives on some 43 years later not only in his music, also this new biopic, "Bob Marley: One Love" in cinemas now.
Not only was "One Love" one of Marley's biggest hit singles it also helps sum up his Rastafarian philosophy on life, love and peace.
These are subjects that form the basis of this movie that starts from his early years through to his death in 1981.
A defining figure in modern Ethiopian history, The Emperor of Ethiopia, Haile Selassie, and key figure of the religious movement, Rastafari, is given more than a passing nod because of his deep influence on Marley's belief system, which is reflected in his lyrics and music.
This film is loaded with flashbacks that give us an insight into his past experiences with his mother and faceless white father, his early days in Trench Town, Jamaica, to his first recording session.
"One Love" is the story of how Marley overcame his adversity, including poverty to become a Superstar in the mid to late 70's.
It tracks his musical journey from obscurity to the world stage and the revolutionary power of his music to unite his people during one of most tumultuous & violent political times in Jamaican history.
Everything is on the table including the assassination attempt on his life in his own home, his wife & family (most of whom share some credits for this project), his infidelities, plus his band and musical process.
Kingsley Ben-Adir ("Barbie") as "Bob" proves he is Kenough to play the lead role as is Lashana Lynch as "Rita Marley".
Lynch only broke her Jamaican accent once over nearly two hours to reveal her true British voice.
In fact, if I have one serious complaint it's that the Jamaican accents are so damn good it's often difficult to understand what they are saying.
Don't get me wrong I don't like cricket, I love it, however when Jamaican commentators talk during the game I struggle to hear a word.
The same goes for this film and its such a beautiful, rhythmical accent that I could listen all day man, I & I.
Thank goodness for the music when the dialogue leaves something to be desired.
Reggae is the people's music after all, coming together to celebrate one another.
Kingsley was so committed to his character he learned all the songs he has to perform live in recording studios and in concert, even though they are dubbed by the real Marley its adds to the authenticity.
The late Wailer Neville Garrick even offered his own personal experiences of songwriting with Marley as a consultant on this movie.
"Bob's" son "Ziggy" Marley produced this movie as a tribute to his dad to share their special relationship, while director Reinaldo Marcus Green ("Kings Richard") is faithful to this legendary singers life story.
The movie was mostly shot in Kingston, Jamaica and it is visually stunning on the beaches and on Strawberry Hill.
James Norton plays Island record's boss "Chris Blackwell" who was crucial to the success of Marley's career.
If you share Time Magazine's appreciation of "Exodus" as one of the greatest albums of the 20th Century then you are going to love watching it being created in London.
Bob Marley fans will be moved by "One Love"...a film that avoided the trap of being a Jukebox musical by sensitively sharing more of his lesser known hits and their organic creation until the closing credits.
It was a beautiful story just waiting to be told by the right people and in the most part it was with some clever editing and screenplay.
The attention to period detail is impressive even down to the Orange amplifiers and Neumann U87 microphones in the London recording studio and cover artwork for "Exodus".
Let's get together and feel alright by watching "Bob Marley: One Love" on the big screen.
Not only was "One Love" one of Marley's biggest hit singles it also helps sum up his Rastafarian philosophy on life, love and peace.
These are subjects that form the basis of this movie that starts from his early years through to his death in 1981.
A defining figure in modern Ethiopian history, The Emperor of Ethiopia, Haile Selassie, and key figure of the religious movement, Rastafari, is given more than a passing nod because of his deep influence on Marley's belief system, which is reflected in his lyrics and music.
This film is loaded with flashbacks that give us an insight into his past experiences with his mother and faceless white father, his early days in Trench Town, Jamaica, to his first recording session.
"One Love" is the story of how Marley overcame his adversity, including poverty to become a Superstar in the mid to late 70's.
It tracks his musical journey from obscurity to the world stage and the revolutionary power of his music to unite his people during one of most tumultuous & violent political times in Jamaican history.
Everything is on the table including the assassination attempt on his life in his own home, his wife & family (most of whom share some credits for this project), his infidelities, plus his band and musical process.
Kingsley Ben-Adir ("Barbie") as "Bob" proves he is Kenough to play the lead role as is Lashana Lynch as "Rita Marley".
Lynch only broke her Jamaican accent once over nearly two hours to reveal her true British voice.
In fact, if I have one serious complaint it's that the Jamaican accents are so damn good it's often difficult to understand what they are saying.
Don't get me wrong I don't like cricket, I love it, however when Jamaican commentators talk during the game I struggle to hear a word.
The same goes for this film and its such a beautiful, rhythmical accent that I could listen all day man, I & I.
Thank goodness for the music when the dialogue leaves something to be desired.
Reggae is the people's music after all, coming together to celebrate one another.
Kingsley was so committed to his character he learned all the songs he has to perform live in recording studios and in concert, even though they are dubbed by the real Marley its adds to the authenticity.
The late Wailer Neville Garrick even offered his own personal experiences of songwriting with Marley as a consultant on this movie.
"Bob's" son "Ziggy" Marley produced this movie as a tribute to his dad to share their special relationship, while director Reinaldo Marcus Green ("Kings Richard") is faithful to this legendary singers life story.
The movie was mostly shot in Kingston, Jamaica and it is visually stunning on the beaches and on Strawberry Hill.
James Norton plays Island record's boss "Chris Blackwell" who was crucial to the success of Marley's career.
If you share Time Magazine's appreciation of "Exodus" as one of the greatest albums of the 20th Century then you are going to love watching it being created in London.
Bob Marley fans will be moved by "One Love"...a film that avoided the trap of being a Jukebox musical by sensitively sharing more of his lesser known hits and their organic creation until the closing credits.
It was a beautiful story just waiting to be told by the right people and in the most part it was with some clever editing and screenplay.
The attention to period detail is impressive even down to the Orange amplifiers and Neumann U87 microphones in the London recording studio and cover artwork for "Exodus".
Let's get together and feel alright by watching "Bob Marley: One Love" on the big screen.