Jayla Johnson 
The movie “Bob Marley: One Love,” directed by Reinaldo Marcus Green, is a nice tribute to the legacy of the artist whose roots originated in Jamaica. It’s all about the years 1976 to 1978 when Marley, portrayed by first decided to organize a peace concert for rivalry violence that was on the rise in Jamaica between two political leaders. The film, produced by his family, focused on his last years as a famous reggae artist.
The timeline zooms in on his survival of an assassination attempt before the concert in Jamaica. After the peace concert he headed to London for safety and recorded his ninth album Exodus, and became an international star. The movie covers his time in Europe, dealing with trauma of being shot at, label issues, love troubles, and mental health problems expressed through his music.
Marley comes off as a passionate man, embracing the power of reggae and Rastafari. His religion believed God tests you through slavery, economic injustice, and racial “downpression.” In the movie, he tells his assassinator, “Only you have the power to redeem yourself.” He faced personal challenges during the film but always stayed true to his music. He avoided a political stance because he would rather put his statements in his songs. The movie beautifully captures his character and his commitment to his truth. His main goal was to touch the world through music, not just for fame or money.
The film, however, felt a bit rushed with scenes jumping between Jamaica and Europe. It was hard to keep up, but I get that it focused on key moments in his last years. I would’ve liked to see more scenes involving his creative process.
After his 1980 Uprising Tour in Europe, he developed cancer that started in his big toe and passed away in 1981 at age 36. This was a tribute to a man who changed the world with a message of unity, featuring his powerful music like “Redemption Song” and upbeat tunes like “Jammin’.” Marley’s impact was remembered well in “Bob Marley: One Love” and is worth seeing.
By Jayla Johnson, Illinois State University Alum
Instagram: Jaylalj_
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