DVD Review: Marley

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There’s a point in most people’s lives where for a brief spell you’re really into reggae. Mainly it comes from indulging in marijuana; no one who really got into reggae between the ages of 18-25 did it without a healthy amount of THC in their system. And if you listened to reggae the only band to listen to was Bob Marley and the Wailers. He may have died young of cancer but Marley’s legacy has been that of being the third world’s first pop superstar. Marley chronicles the musician’s life, death and legacy.

Starting with his family life in Jamaica all the way to his death from cancer, the film gets everyone who is anyone in his life on camera to talk about Marley. That’s the one great thing about the documentary you can’t help but notice. From Marley’s family members to every relevant member of the Wailers, and all points between, the principles that were there to witness his life are there and on camera discussing his life and the influence he had upon them. If Kevin MacDonald missed someone it’ll be a shocker because anyone who’s still alive to talk about Bob Marley is there, and on camera, to talk about him in some aspect.

That’s the great thing about the documentary; it’s not just a narrator and clips, with the occasional interview from someone. There is plenty of narration over clips from Marley’s life but there are so many interviews that you get a variety of perspectives on the man. The nice part is that Kevin MacDonald doesn’t try to minimize the many character flaws of Bob Marley; he may have been a great musical artist but he was human and there’s no attempt by MacDonald to hide some of the downsides of Marley’s lifestyle.

It’s an interesting decision for a director with strong dramatic roots to do a documentary but Marley succeeds on every possible level. We don’t need a biopic with some A-list star in the role of Bob at some point in his life; this is the definitive version of his life and times.

Bob Marley’s son Ziggy joins MacDonald for a Commentary on the film. The film’s Trailer is included as well as a piece called Around the World which shows children and bands across the world sing Marley songs. There are also some interviews with Marley’s children as well about the memories they have of their father. A recording session of “I’m loose” as well as stills and the film’s theatrical trailer are included as well.

If you want to boil down the essence of Bob Marley and the Wailer into less than three hours, Marley is your film.

Magnolia presents Marley . Directed by Kevin MacDonald. Running time: 145 minutes. Rated PG-13. Released: August 7, 2012. Available at Amazon.com.