So everybody has an opinion on the new Bob Marley film and now – having actually watched it, so do I. One thing I’ve learned from social media is not to trust the opinions of those that haven’t watched the film; and boy were there opinions. Another thing I’ve realised is that Jamaicans are prone to complaining. I love my people but bwooooooyyy, the fact that the complaints came out way before the film even land tells you something about how we stay!

Complaint #1 – The leads should’ve been Jamaicans: it would’ve been great to see Jamaicans leading on a project about a Jamaican legend. However, it’s ridiculous to suggest it if the actors went through a casting process. A casting process that included the Marley family themselves. I’ve even seen one person suggesting that he knew a friend right now, that could’ve played a part because she had 600k followers! KMT can we stop carrying on as if acting is just one likkle sittn people do at the weekends that and all dem do is seh words. No. Acting is a craft and just like any other profession, you get better as you practise and even when you get to your peak, you still have to practise. Just because you look like someone doesn’t mean you get a part.

Complaint #2 – The fear of a Jafaican accent: This emanated from the first complaint, all the leads being English, could they do the accent? Now, for a Jamaican, there’s nothing worse than a fake Jamaican accent so this was a legitimate concern. What you need is balance because if you went too far the other way, you would’ve needed subtitles.

Complaint #3 – The inclusion of Cindy Breakspeare: Now this issue had me RILED! For those of you who need backstory, Cindy had one of Bob’s thirteen (you heard correctly) children – two of whom were adopted. Cindy was an uptown white-skinned Jamaican who also won Miss World in 1976. She met Bob in the same year. Cindy put never before seen pictures celebrating Bob’s 79th birthday. Many saw this as a way of trying to steal some limelight from the film that she didn’t feature in. After much criticism, even from his other children, she came back to justify what she’d done. She was one of many. He didn’t wife her and I’m pretty sure colourism is at the heart of why people even remember her. So before I continue, let us remember an Empress name Alfarita “Rita” Constantia Marley.

So despite what my fellow Jamaicans (amongst others) had to say, I went and saw the film for myself. The film is set in Jamaica and London from 1976 – 1981 just before he died. The film was primarily about Bob. However, Rita and her story, was included too. She was a talent in her own right. The affairs – including her own – were mentioned. We didn’t need Cindy in the movie. It wouldn’t have added anything to the story being told. The number of Jamaican actors to Brits ratio was high. accepted, they weren’t leads but you couldn’t knock Kingsley Ben-Adir’s performance. His performance was sublime. Mannersims, cadence, on point and YES, not a Jafaican in sight!

The score was phenomenal. You forget just how good the music of Bob Marley was. They had all the hits and some lesser known tracks. However, Bob was the executor but the Wailers and the I-Threes added and enhanced what and who he was as a musician. Speaking of musicians, there was, thankfully, a nod to Peter Tosh and Bunny Wailer and it was acknowledged why the split of the original Wailers happened because to all intents and purposes, Bob was becoming a Champagne Ras.

Another thing that I loved about One Love is not only was this film a celebration of Jamaica and the music, it was a celebration of Rastafari. Growing up on Rasta music and literally being “Rasta-adjacent,” there’s a scene in the film from a recurring dream that features Bob as a child and a burning field that I absolutely loved! And to see Mutabaruka even for a cameo, just felt full circle.

Overall, the film did this part of Bob’s life justice. The film was beautifully shot and you couldn’t cover the whole of his life in 1hr 44 mins. I want people to like this film and to support it. I want people to pay money to see a film that isn’t driven by the usual Jamaican negative tropes of guns, drugs and poverty – although it does feature against the backdrop of the political climate. Finally, I want people to celebrate one of Jamaica’s icons. I give it a solid 9/10.

Have you seen it? What are your thoughts? Did they do Bob and Rita justice in the 1hr 44mins? What’s your favourite Bob Marley or Wailers track?

Thanx for reading, Tricia ❤️💛💚🖤