( ENSPIRE Entertainment ) A Glimpse at the Highly Anticipated Biopic on the Reggae Star’s Life
ENSPIRE Contributor: Grace Chai
Bob Marley, the Jamaican reggae legend, was an artist who unified people around the world. His music—which resonated with many people and instilled hope worldwide—was a transformative force that broke language barriers. A musician with unparalleled cultural impact, Marley’s legacy was honored on the big screen in the upcoming movie Bob Marley: One Love, which came out in theaters on February 14th. Bob Marley: One Love sheds light on Marley’s life, from his upbringing in Jamaica to his performances and rise to global stardom.
One of the film’s actresses, Jamaican reggae/pop singer-songwriter Naomi Cowan, plays Marcia Griffiths—a reggae icon who sang in the I-Three group for Bob Marley, highlighting the women’s generational impact in reggae music. Naomi Cowan’s role as Marcia underscores the latter’s friendship and working relationship with Marley. It also honors Marcia’s accomplishments and contributions to reggae, like her hit “Electric Boogie” which is still one of the top mainstream dance songs of all time.
Naomi Cowan, who plays Marcia, feels like she manifested the role, having met the star many times before her successful audition. Originally a singer by trade, Cowan is an artist who creates Caribbean-esque reggae music. In 2018, she paid homage to Marcia Griffiths with the cover art of her hit “Paradise Plum,” which embodies the artwork, vibe, wardrobe, pose, and color scheme of Marcia’s “Sweet and Nice” album from 1974.
While Cowan is new to acting, she feels comfortable playing Marcia, saying, “I feel like I was playing myself, but in a different era.”
So far, Bob Marley: One Love, which focuses on the life, struggles, and triumphs of its titular figure, made $80 million worldwide. As a music-centered film about a reggae superstar, it has been popular, especially among fans of Marley’s music and his message of peace and love. The Los Angeles Times also notes that the beginning of the year—with its cold weather—is not usually the time when movie studios promote their blockbusters, so Bob Marley’s “joyful rebellion and positive vibes” in the film brings some light in the darker months. Whether you’re looking for a musical biopic to immerse yourself in or if you’re a big reggae fan, this film promises an up-close view of the Jamaican musician’s life.
Watch the trailer for Bob Marley: One Love here.
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