Reggae, and Bob Marley, were always off
my radar. So far off my radar, I was in danger of flying planes into
them. (My metaphorical and wholly imaginary job as an air-traffic
controller was in jeopardy). Despite this I found myself fascinated
and excited by Marley. At times it drew me close to tears. (I
didn't of course, actually cry. In fact had I cried I would still
probably say that “I didn't of course, cry”).
Bob Nesta Marley was only 36 years old
when he died and what Marley, the film, does best is to cover
the staggering amount he achieved in that time. He was born to a
slightly caddish and elusive white Jamaican Royal Marine and a black
Jamaican mother. Bullied in his early years, as a his mixed race boy
in Jamaica, Bob's didn't have an easy start. But he turned this
around in later life and blossomed into a handsome and charismatic
young man with a profound talent for music.
Bob's own children portray him as an
unreliable and often absent father. One rather bleak anecdote tells
how he would race his children on the beach, winning and laughing
riotously, not even slowing to let them catch up. A devotee of
Rastafarianism and a committed hedonist, Bob seems to have lived a
happier life than the rest of his immediate family, possibly because
he cared more about football and womanising than anything else.
This exhaustive documentary captures
some astounding moments, such as the shooting of Bob and his retinue
by gunmen at his studios at 56 Hope Road, assuming he was a supporter
of the current Jamaican prime-minister. With gunshot wounds to the
chest and arm, he still honoured his commitment to a concert two days
later. Another moment recalls Bob on stage with leaders of the two
warring factions in Jamaica. Forcing them to hold hands, he united
political enemies and brought hope to thousands with a message of
peace.
Bob's effortless charm and love of life
make the closing chapters harder to bear. They detail his battle with
the disease afflicting “the white-man part of his body”: cancer.
Positive to the last, Bob ends his days in a slow decline, smiling
and joking with friends.
Kevin MacDonald's film captures a whole
life and if you know little or nothing of Bob Marley this will be
rectified by the end. As a documentary it may be lacking style but it
is always interesting, often highly emotional and might just change
the way in which you view the legend, and the real man behind it.
There was more to Bob than is found here but its doubtful so much
will ever be assembled again in one place.
The closing credits feature a host of
Bob's fans from around the world celebrating his music. Curiously
these are the only moments in the documentary which ring a little
contrived and hollow.
Marley is released in cinemas
and on-demand on April 20th 2012.
