How well do we really know Bob Marley? The phenomenal documentary directed by Kevin MacDonald released last week will help us get to know him. The Magnolia Pictures documentary explained the 35 year old’s short, but long-lived life and legacy at home and on the road, in a two and a half hour montage of pure perfection.
The longevity of the movie literally flew by; each moment filled with captivating content, information and footage.
The documentary was made up of exclusive interviews with those closest to Marley. Those people included his many children, wives, girlfriends, friends and touring members.
Rare video clips scattered throughout the movie, some of which from tour, a few images of his painfully poverished life back home in Jamaica, interviews with the musician and a focus on his efforts to achieve world peace and love.
This documentary was a project long awaited, and an experience that brings both fans and non-fans to the core of Marley’s visions of happiness, positivity, love and wise words.
Unfortunately the documentary was only in theatres for one day, April 20. If you didn’t get a chance to see it in theatres, you can rent it on iTunes, on YouTube or the official Marley Facebook page for $6.99. You only get the movie for a 48 time period, because it’s not yet available for full purchase.
In a society that recognizes 4/20 as the unofficial National Day of Marijuana, it became obvious that the release date was somewhat of a disrespect to the popular Jamaican reggae musician.
The date was ultimately a lame publicity device used to strategically attract stoners to pay to see the documentary.
Although Marley heavily used marijuana, smoking nearly a pound a day, I felt that it sorely represented him.
What Marley stood for was love, equality and for others to appreciate the Rastafarian movement that he worked so hard to spread and promote. He didn’t care about the money and he didn’t necessarily care about fame – he appreciated it. This way of life was evident in the film.
The movie in its entirety represented Bob Marley in a very detailed and respected manner. He would have been very pleased.
