Marley (DVD REVIEW)
Marley
DVD
Review by Kam Williams
Biopic Chronicles Career of Revered Reggae Icon
When most people think of Bob Marley, what probably comes to mind is reggae, Jamaica
and marijuana. But how did a street urchin raised by a teen-mom in a country
shack with no electricity manage to become a beloved icon admired all over the
world?
That
little-known side of Bob’s life story is the subject of Marley, an intimate
biopic produced by his son, Ziggy, and directed by Scotsman Kevin Macdonald.
Because of the participation in the project of so many relatives, friends and
colleagues, the picture paints a fascinating portrait which fully fleshes out
its subject, thereby resisting the temptation of merely placing him on a
pedestal.
At
the point of departure we learn that Robert Nesta Marley was born in 1945 to
Cedella Malcolm, a young local gal, and Captain Norval Marley, a British
plantation overseer already in his 60s. Bob never really knew his father or the
rest of the Marleys, a prominent family with a construction business on the
island. In fact, his request for financial help to kickstart his career was
rebuffed out of hand by his relatively-rich white relations.
Rejection
was a recurring theme during Bob’s formative years, when he was teased as a
“half-caste” by other boys for being mixed. And he was equally unpopular with
the opposite sex, since “Every girl’s dream in Jamaica was to have a tall, dark
boyfriend.” He was even abandoned by his mom who moved to America while he was still in his
teens.
Fortunately,
Bob eventually found salvation through a love of music and the embrace of the
Rastafarian community. Seeing his guitar as a way out of poverty, he let his
hair grow while writing popular songs about equality, world peace, and
cannabis, which is considered a sacred herb by the dreadlocked adherents of his
pot-smoking religion.
After
struggling to make it for over a decade while getting ripped-off by
unscrupulous producers and promoters, Marley finally landed his big break in
1973 when he and the Wailers signed with Island Records. The group went on to
record such hits as “One Love,” “Jammin’,” “No Woman No Cry,” “I Shot the
Sheriff,” “Redemptive Song,” “Get Up, Stand Up,” “Stir It Up” and “Is This
Love?” to name a few.
The
2½ hour combination concert/interview flick allocates a decent portion of time
to archival footage of The Wailers’ performing many of the aforementioned
anthems. Attention is also devoted to the reflections of folks like Bob’s
widow, Rita, who talks about how she was really more of her his guardian angel
than his wife.
After
all, he had 11 children by 7 different women and often needed help juggling his
groupies and baby-mamas. As Bob’s attorney, Diane Jobson, explains it, her
client considered himself faithful to God, if not his spouse.
Among
Marley’s many lovers was gorgeous Cindy Breakspeare, Miss Jamaica 1976, who went on to win
the Miss World title. Not so lucky was Pascaline Ondimba, the daughter of the
African nation of Gabon’s
prime minister. She recounts how Bob had called her “ugly” because she
straightened her hair, and had encouraged her to cultivate and appreciate her
natural beauty.
Sadly,
Marley’s life was marked by tragedy, too, including an assassination attempt
and later the skin cancer to which he would succumb at the tender age of 36.
Still, his “One Love” legacy is likely to withstand the test of time and
inspire generations to come with its all-embracing message of understanding and
tolerance.
A wonderfully-revealing,
warts-and-all tribute to the human spirit of a Rasta rock god!
Excellent
(4 stars)
Pated PG-13 for violent images, mature themes
and cannabis consumption.
Running time: 145
minutes
Distributor: Magnolia
Home Entertainment
DVD Extras: Director’s
commentary; photo gallery; Bunny Wailer and Marley children interviews; bonus
music footage; a mini-documentary; and the theatrical trailer.
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