“Bob Marley: One Love” is a 2024 American biographical drama musical depicting the life of legendary reggae artist Bob Marley, portrayed by Kingsley Ben-Adir, chronicling his journey from his emergence in the mid-1970s to his passing in 1981. Directed by Reinaldo Marcus Green, the screenplay, crafted by Terence Winter, Frank E. Flowers, and Zach Baylin, delves into Marley’s rise to prominence. The film also features Lashana Lynch as Rita Marley and James Norton as Chris Blackwell.
Premiering at Kingston’s Carib 5 on January 23, 2024, Bob Marley: One Love hit theaters in the United States through Paramount Pictures on February 14, 2024. Despite garnering mixed reviews from critics, it achieved a worldwide gross of $177 million, securing its place as the ninth highest-grossing film of 2024.”
CHARACTERS
- Kingsley Ben-Adir portrays Bob Marley, with Quan-Dajai Henriques playing teenage Bob and Nolan Collignon portraying young Bob.
- Lashana Lynch stars as Rita Marley, with Nia Ashi as teenage Rita.
- James Norton appears as Chris Blackwell.
- Tosin Cole takes on the role of Tyrone Downie, while Aston Barrett Jr. plays Aston “Family Man” Barrett.
- Anthony Welsh is cast as Don Taylor, and Hector Boots Lewis portrays Carlton Carly Barrett.
- Alexx A-Game is featured as Peter Tosh, with Narado Williams playing teenage Peter.
- Abijah “Naki Wailer” Livingston appears as Bunny Wailer, with Courtney Edwards as teenage Bunny.
- Stefan A.D Wade portrays Seeco Patterson, and Matthew Malcolm Blake plays young Seeco.
- Sevana is cast as Judy Mowatt, and Michael Gandolfini appears as Howard Bloom.
- Nadine Marshall portrays Cedella Malcolm, while Umi Myers takes on the role of Cindy Breakspeare.
- Gawaine “J-Summa” Campbell appears as Antonio “Gillie” Gilbert, and Naomi Cowan is cast as Marcia Griffiths.
- David Kerr portrays Junior Marvin, and Sheldon Sheperd appears as Neville Garrick.
- Andrae Simpson is cast as Donald Kinsey, with Jeff Crossley playing Clement “Coxsone” Dodd.
- Sundra Oakley is featured as Diane Jobson.
STORYLINE
Amidst the political unrest in Jamaica in 1976, Bob Marley announces his intention to perform at the Smile Jamaica concert, aiming to promote peace. However, Marley, his wife Rita, and members of his band are attacked by gunmen while preparing for the concert. Though injured, they recover in time for the show. Moved by the incident, Marley displays his bullet wounds onstage, and then urges Rita to take their children to safety in Delaware as he and the band head to London. In London, Marley struggles to find inspiration for a new album until Rita joins them, sparking the creation of “Exodus.” The album becomes a global sensation, but tensions arise between Marley and Rita over his infidelities and neglect of peace efforts in Jamaica. Marley also faces a health scare when diagnosed with skin cancer, leading to a confrontation with his manager, Don Taylor.
Realizing his mortality, Marley reconciles with Rita and Taylor, deciding to return to Jamaica in 1978. Welcomed home, he forgives the man who shot him and plans a peace concert. The film concludes as Marley and his band prepare to perform “One Love” for their Jamaican fans. A montage before the credits shows footage of Marley’s real-life One Love Peace Concert, where he was joined by Jamaica’s political leaders. It also reveals Marley’s performance in Zimbabwe before his death from cancer in 1981 at age 36.
