Very disappointing...

The Age of Commercialism

not horrible nor great

Better than most people think

I had seen the poster for this documentary film a number of times, it was obvious what the subject of it was, as a big fan of the artist focused myself I was definitely looking forward to watching, directed by Kevin Macdonald (Touching the Void, The Last King of Scotland, Life in a Day). Robert Nesta "Bob" Marley was born 6 February 1945, this film depicts the life of the Jamaican singer- songwriter, musician and guitarist, charting his stratospheric rise to fame. The film is made up of archive footage from Marley's various radio and television appearances, including his rare footage and interviews, and of course there are interviews by those who knew him best, friends, family and colleagues. Marley was passionate about music from a young age, but he started with disappointing sales as a solo artist, but then he decided to collaborate with a band called The Wailers, to become Bob Marley and the Wailers, and they achieved international fame. Marley brought to the world attention to Jamaican culture, Reggae music and the Rastafari movement, and the film focuses on his influential music, and his struggle with racial identity and acceptance, and there is mention of his use of cannabis and marijuana. As a member of the Rastafari movement, Marley was dedicated to his religion, believing that God and his family are more important than the success or money he made, in total he had eleven children with seven women, his most famous relationship being with Jamaican Miss World 1976 winner Cindy Breakspeare. Marley's death is also depicted, a cancerous sore had formed on his right toe, it was operated in the past, but the disease had spread to his lungs and brain, and was inoperable, he lost his treasured dreadlocks during chemotherapy, and his pain increased over time, until his tragic death on 11 May 1981, he was aged 36. His greatest and most recognised hits featured or mentioned include "Exodus", "Rough Rider", "High Tide or Low Tide", "Soul Rebel", "One Love / People Get Ready", "It's Alright", "Stir It Up", "No Woman No Cry", "Get Up Stand Up", "Concrete Jungle", "Jamming", "I Shot the Sheriff", "Three Little Birds", "Is This Love" and "Could You Be Loved". Others that could or should have been mentioned are "Buffalo Soldier" and "Sun Is Shining" (vs. Funkstar De Luxe). With contributions from Rita Marley (Bob's widow), Neville "Bunny Wailer" Livingston, David "Ziggy" Marley (Bob's son), Cedella Marley (Bob's mother), singer Jimmy Cliff, Cindy Breakspeare, Lee "Scratch" Perry (music producer), Constance Marley (Bob's half- sister), Chris Blackwell, Judy Mowatt (backing vocalist), Neville Garrick, Marcia Griffiths, Aston "Family Man" Barrett, Peter Marley (Bob's second cousin),Junior Marvin, Diane Jobson, Allan "Skill" Cole, Bob Andy, Donald Kinsey, Alvin "Seeco" Patterson, Dr. Carlton "Pee-Wee" Fraser, Evelyn "Dotty" Higgin, Pascaline Bongo Ondimba, Ibis Pitts, Dr. Conroy Cooper, former President of Jamaica Edward Seaga, Lloyd "Bread" McDonald, Hugh Creek "Sledgo" Peart, Carlton "Santa" Davis, Imogene "Aunt Amy" Wallace, Dudley Sibley, Desmond "Desi" Smith and many more. Marley was a reggae superstar, and his music continues to inspire and influence artists, it is interesting to watch, and obviously hearing the popular songs keeps it going, you could argue it is perhaps a little too long, at just over 2 hours 20 minutes, and it is a bit up and and down at times, but overall it's not a bad biographical music documentary. It was nominated the BAFTA for Best Documentary Film. Worth watching!

Being a big fan of Bob Marley and very knowledgeable of the story. I was not a fan of this work. I felt like I understood the man through his music and writings much differently than this piece leads one to believe. While there is some original footage of his half-sister and cousin in here which I admit was nice it was the wrong placement and the wrong focus of the bigger storyline.I had viewed many interviews through the times and smaller documentary materials, but this one was much different. It lacked a story line that I felt ran with the time line of the man and his passions. I truly would have liked to see more of a story that gave a viewer a better understanding to his passion. A story that had a better frame work of the meaning behind his music and what his passion came from.The highlights for me was the different interviews which were unique and many of the points the interviewer had people discussing. There are some real classic moments here, but then again they don't work together to illuminate the man into a story that I feel is more central to his life.If you were to compare the book "Catch a Fire" and this movie "Marley" you would find yourself scratching your head. While a book is always looked at as the better version to a movie in the narrative world it might seem in non-fiction it would lend itself to be more truthful in the documentary, I find that not to be the case in this situation. Not the case at all in how Rasta is depicted and how the greater part of his career was examined. Decent movie, but bad depiction and wish it could have been produced differently.

There are a number of autobiographical films these days paying tribute to the current crop of musicians, singers and the likes, and are often combined with 3D to milk in the cash since they are going to reach out only to a limited number of fans. So it's quite refreshing to see a biographical one told of a musical legend. For those who have no inkling to who Bob Marley is, or what reggae sounds like and its influence, Marley the documentary is for you, and for Bob Marley fans alike. Directed by Kevin Macdonald, who made films like The Last King of Scotland, The Eagle and State of Play, Marley revisits the music documentary, and it's really an ambitious one given the size and scale of what was covered, and finding that fine balance that can appeal to the serious fan, and the casual movie-goer without alienating them.Macdonald takes his time to tell the story of this influential musician and charismatic performer, who came from humble roots in a small town in Jamaica, before doing what he does best with his band The Wailers, touring the world and spreading their message of love and peace through their music. In 144 minutes, Macdonald provided a very linear presentation in bringing us through the chronological series of events in Bob Marley's life, through a series of talking heads styled interviews with family, friends, and those who have played a significant part in various memorable episodes. You can sense the director's reverence for the subject in having carefully assembled and crafted Marley's various performances into the narrative, as well as digging through countless of archives to look for gems, especially those marking Bob Marley's formative years in Jamaica.Not only were the good put on display, but those that some of us may frown upon as well, got included rather than being glossed over, or deliberately overlooked, such as the growing and smoking of weed, and his rather free loving ways with women, fathering many children with different women. But as the film painted them all out, somehow they all turned out good, with drugs never being part of the tours that made countries go jittery, and the open relationships that somehow got through with tacit understanding, that one may think of as terribly generous.There's really little to say about what's covered in the film, because of its broad spectrum and attention paid to significant portions and incidents in Bob Marley's life, that the curious can probably look up Wikipedia and get the whole tale. But a film allows more to be presented, especially for those who have never seen him live, to have a feel at his stage presence from the archived clips that were carefully curated, even though I'm almost certain some days down the road, or even now, that some would have already turned up on file or video sharing sites. But I digress.Macdonald knows his material, and the film got wonderfully edited in engaging the audience, even when there were moments that dwelled on his lineage and family background, or having to work on deeper issues like his music and Rastafari philosophy, allowing appreciation of matters close to Bob Marley's heart, and to see for oneself in what actually made him tick. Anecdotes from close friends, colleagues, and fellow members of the industry, whether from the studios point of view, or from members of his band who had come and gone, all brought out different facets of the man's life, whether from the angle of him being the consummate professional, the inspirational songwriter, or seen during his leisure activities in running and football.It's also history on film, with how Macdonald reminded how closely tied Bob was to the politics of his home town, and the political infighting that had threatened to pull the country apart. It is here that I witness first hand the power of music as a unifying force for peace, healing the rift divided by reasons long unknown and diluted, but resolved once again by an artform, which in this case is music, together with Bob Marley's powers of improvisation and sincerity in wanting to make the world a better place, starting with his hometown, country, then other continents, and hopefully one day, the world. His philanthropy, no matter how disorganized it may seem, also got thrust into the spotlight, and from various news reels, interviews, notable quotes, Marley the documentary paints a more than three dimensional look at the man behind the music.If you're not a fan of Bob Marley or have never listened to any of his music, Marley will urge you to do so by the time the end credits roll, as I doubt the reggae sounds will not cause you to be moved, or spark an interest in wanting to know, and listen to more. A staggering discography of more than 60 songs got packed into this documentary to provide like a quick overview to the music of a legend, and if you aren't a fan, chances are that Kevin Macdonald would have made you one by the time you're through. Highly recommended and into my shortlist as one of the best of the year!

Absolutely brilliant, the best Bob Marley documentary made, showing his whole life from the beginning as a poor boy from nine mile, Jamaica to become one of the greatest musicians to ever live. till the end of his very short life when he died from cancer which had spread to all parts of his body which had resulted from a disease in his big toe which he never attended regular check-ups. Bob Marley also brought to the ears of people all over the planet knowledge and teachings of Jamaica, Reggae, Rasta and Peace & Love. A fitting tribute to one of history's greatest musical prophets... R.I.P. Robert Nesta Marley.