Bob Marley: One Love

Musical biopics have surged in popularity since the success of “Bohemian Rhapsody,” but nailing them isn’t a walk in the park.

Directors like Dexter Fletcher, who took over “Bohemian Rhapsody” and helmed “Rocketman,” have made it seem effortless. However, even seasoned directors like Baz Luhrmann, with his recent “Elvis,” struggled to please everyone. So, what about “Bob Marley: One Love,” directed by Reinaldo Marcus Green?

Surprisingly, Green stumbled where I least expected. While he captured the essence of people exceptionally well in “King Richard,” translating that magic to “One Love” proved elusive. It’s baffling because Marley’s story is one of the most inspirational tales you could hope to tell.

However, one thing Green got spot-on was the casting. Kingsley Ben-Adir may not resemble Bob Marley, but from the first scene, he embodies Marley’s spirit with such authenticity that physical resemblance becomes irrelevant. Yet, it’s Lashana Lynch who steals the spotlight at times, much like Marley’s wife, commanding the screen with authority.

The film lacked a cohesive structure that would allow us to truly understand who Marley was and why he mattered. While the flashbacks offered glimpses into pivotal moments, they never delved deep enough. We never fully embraced the emotions behind Marley’s ability to inspire, his sacrifices, or his early departure from his family. The emotion was there, waiting to be tapped into by the talented actors, but the writers and directors failed to dive in.

“Bob Marley: One Love” is an okay movie, but that’s just not good enough. Marley’s story and music alone could make for half of a great film, and the talented cast could contribute the other half. Unfortunately, the director fell short of achieving the same magic as his previous work. Let’s hope future music biopics learn from these missteps.

What musical biopic do you want to see the most?