An aspiring writer from Birmingham / Cornwall, UK.

Marley


Cinemas Nationwide.

The world's best known reggae star is brought to the big screen in Kevin Macdonald's 144 minute documentary Marley. I was shocked to hear a friend question how someone could make such a long film from one man's lifestory, noting that it'll "probably drag on a bit". I was glad to see him eat his words, as he watched and realised that Bob Marley was a little bit more than red, yellow & green, Three Little Birds and marijuana and began to appreciate him as the musician, philosopher and peace maker that so many came to love.

The documentary gives a detailed background of Marley's life. Showing the beautiful landscapes of Jamaica, but also revealing the harsh living conditions that go hand in hand with them - the conditions in which the rastafarian icon grew up. His influences, contemporary artists, friends and family, personal life, professional life, escape to Britain and return to Jamaica. The documentary is remarkably unbiased, showing the worse sides of him as well as highlighting the good.

If watching in the cinema, I'd advise taking some tissues. It's quite easy to become wrapped up in the story and forget the documentary will inevitably have to cover his death and his subsequent legacy.

A well formed documentary on a truly inspirational man.