Marley

There just aren’t many musical artists that transcend genres, cultures and races. In today’s musical landscape there are simply some artists that will still be listened to long after we are gone. After a successful run at the Hot Docs film festival and in theatres across the country it is now available on DVD & Blu-Ray and video stores across the country. Get ready for the definitive documentary about one of the musical greats of our time. It’s time for “Marley”.

In “Marley”; Bob Marley’s universal appeal, impact on music history and role as a social and political prophet that is both unique and unparalleled is examined. Marley is the definitive life story of the musician, revolutionary, and legend, from his early days to his rise to international superstardom. Made with the support of the Marley family, the film features rare footage, incredible performances and revelatory interviews with the people that knew him best.

With “Marley” we are treated to an in-depth and comprehensive documentary that is a gripping portrayal of one of the 20th century’s most iconic and important musicians. This family approved documentary that goes deep into the man’s life with interviews from the like of family including his wife, son & daughter as well as collaborators such as Jimmy Cliff, Chris Blackwell and Lee ‘Scratch’ Perry to name a few. Macdonald takes us through his life in great detail and with great care. From the early days with the Wailers to his later political activism and his complicated relationship with his wife kids, seemingly nothing was off limits and to Macdonald’s credit was explored every facet of the man’s life without making him seem like some sort of deity or putting him on a pedestal, he was simply a man and when his life was in turmoil he went to the music for solace.

Fans will be overjoyed with the amount of archival performance footage and songs that some casual fans may have never even heard before and as the film tracks the birth of reggae and its emergence on the global stage that was due in large parts by the efforts of Bob Marley knowing how to adapt the sound to something that was more commercially viable for North American and European audiences. In many respects both musically and socially, Bob Marley was a genius and a visionary thinker and this film backs up that idea in spades, it doesn’t just talk a good game and at a thrilling 144 minute runtime, you’ll never look at your watch as the story that unfolds on screen is simply too good to look away.

With “Marley” director Kevin Macdonald has crafted the ultimate musical documentary experience. You don’t need to be a fan of his music to enjoy this emotionally engrossing and satisfying film, but you will be by the end of it. This was a fantastic cinematic experience that gives us a look at the man while still maintaining his mystique.

Source: examiner.com