Some people make an outstanding impact on many in a relatively short life and singer/songwriter/musician Bob Marley is one of those. The documentary Marley directed by Kevin Macdonald encapsulates Marley’s life from his very humble beginnings in Jamaica until his death at age 36 as a superstar. The film is crafted together using a mix of interviews with the star himself, conversations with people who knew him and performance footage.
To me you can see how from an early age that Bob was a genius with engaging words that reach deep into the heart of a situation. He was dedicated to his music and to bringing people together. The early Bob Marley and the Wailers were a formidable band, including the great musician and performer Peter Tosh. The film features an amazing piano version of No Woman No Cry. Still the inspirational music combined with stirring lyrics continued through other line-ups of the group.
One of the controversies about Bob was that though he was married at an early age to Rita, he had many affairs while she was still there singing in his band. You imagined the great strength it must have taken for her to carry on through that situation.
Marley was also swept into political rivalries in Jamaica. His life came under threat and he had to play a key role in striving for peace. All the while the film inspires an empathy for Bob’s passion for mankind and reggae music, right up until the documentary’s sad conclusion. It is definitely a film for music lovers and people who want to learn more about the charismatic figure that Bob Marley was. It’s out at cinemas now.
Cherrydial 