Bob Marley Film

[Maggiethecat]

The trailer looks good and looking forward to seeing it this week.

Anyone else excited about this film?

I have just seen that they are going to be showing the Uprising tour, on Sky Arts today at 17.30

What things 👀 ?

We didn't manage to get to watch it this past week (half-term meant kids chose to watch Migration, which is a brilliant kids movie about ducks migrating to Jamaica) but hopefully this week.

I've enjoyed the various views on this thread. I follow a lot of Jamaican blogs so know there is lots of critique but I think that's good for the movies exposure and reach.

I'll share my opinion later tonight hopefully.

The accent, the fact he wasn't Jamaican. It's about having an actor who can portray the overall picture and character. He was brilliant. The family were happy with it.
But yeah I get that negativity can help make a film more popular etc
I'm just tired of some people always being too critical in life.. about anything.. I try and imagine myself like that and it would suck the joy out of anything

And I thought his Jamaican accent was amazing

Yes, need to rewatch The harder they come and the legendary Jimmy Cliff!

I was happy with the film but I get where Jamaicans are coming from.
I haven’t seen much post release critique by Jamaicans but there was a lot of chat in the run up to release.

Bob is more than just a musician to Jamaicans and is held very dear (wasn’t always that way especially among some of the older generation for whom he was just a dutty dread).

And so I understand that they would be very invested in his portrayal.

En route to watch and have an Appleton and Ting ready to go!

😂Guh deh my gurrll!

We really enjoyed the movie. It felt like a whistle-stop tour to cover those key years leading up the the peace concert but we liked the pace, the glimpses into Bob, Rita and the family background & dynamics.

As I was the one who first mentioned in this thread my partner's comments re the lack of casting Jamaicans in the lead roles (and subsequent reluctance to watch it) I feel it only right to say that we both felt the actors did well and don't think the negative hype (in the Jamaican vlogging community) is justified. Yes, we chuckled at some of the pronunciations but we both left the movie feeling good and blazed some tunes from Exodus on the way home, which admittedly is a regular thing anyway.

Just prior to going, we watched OnStage (a weekly Jamaican entertainment show) and they covered the movie in particular all the jamaicans who had been involved in the making. It's worth a watch if in doubt.

Thanks for this thread as I was sitting on the fence over going to watch it.

Great that you enjoyed it @TheRealKatnissEverdeen

I left buzzing and although he died too young I was reminded of how much he achieved in his short life.

Also enjoyed hearing Simmer Down from when he was a baldhead!

“ long time people dem used to seh wha sweet nanny goat a guh run im belly, so simmer down” 😂

@Maggiethecat we got back early enough to watch The Harder They Come before bed so it was a full night 🤣🤣

I’d say! 😂

On way to watch it again with kids!

I'm going to see it this weekend; I can't wait!

Loved it just as much the second time but must admit that I was more drawn in by Lashana!

@Starseeking - hope you enjoy!

The film has made me revisit Bob’s music and find footage only readily available in the internet era.

I had forgotten how much I love Zimbabwe, possibly my favourite of his songs.

Same here@Maggiethecat . Absolutely fabulous listening to all his songs again recently. I have enjoyed listening to Natural Mystic, and Buffalo Soldier in particular, this fine Sunday. There was a song from my childhood that I really liked, and could not remember what it was called. I could only recall the line Happiness forgets, but loneliness remembers. Low, and behold I googled something like, reggae song with that in the title, and it came up with this. It took me right back to being five again😊

I LOVED it! The music was so so good, it reminded me of all these songs I'd forgotten about.

I watched it with someone of Jamaican heritage who was prepared to hate it as he's a Pan-Africanist, and thought the film would be a watered down corporate money-making venture, however was proved wrong!

We both thought "Bob" bore an uncanny resemblance (coincidence?) to Akala, and agreed his wig was terrible.

Redemption Song is my all-time favourite, followed closely by Exodus.

Redemption Song:

Exodus:

I saw it last week, and thought it was brilliant. I got quite emotional at some points in the film. Especially at the scenes shot in Jamaica. I'm of Jamaican heritage (UK born and bred). My mum is buried in Jamaica and I'd decided that I would never go back again, as she was my strongest tie to the island. Having seen the film though, and heard the music and the accents, I'll be going back soon. I thought the accents were really good in the main. I also saw the stage production in London a while ago. I didn't think much of it tbh. The accents in that were soooo bad. probably watered down for "typical" theatre goers...

@LadyKenya - all of this feel good music, pure nostalgia!

@Starseeking - I think a lot of people were surprised, in a good way.

I felt that way too seeing some of the scenes. I also remember the political turmoil at the time and, although being young, memories like curfews and heavily armed soldiers remain with you.

Very emotive for me.