Marley

Name: Marley
Genre: Biography, Music, Documentary
Released: April 20, 2012
Duration: 144 min
Rating: 82
Cast: Bob Marley, Jimmy Cliff, Lee Perry, Ziggy Marley

2012

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Universal acclaim based on 32 Critic Reviews

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USER SCORE

Generally favorable reviews based on 31 Ratings

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8.0	User Score Generally favorable reviews based on 31 Ratings

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Marley

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Movie Details & Credits

Magnolia Pictures | Release Date: April 20, 2012 | PG-13

Starring: Bob Marley, Jimmy Cliff, Lee Perry, Ziggy Marley

Summary: Bob Marley's universal appeal, impact on music history and role as a social and political prophet is both unique and unparalleled. 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 rareBob Marley's universal appeal, impact on music history and role as a social and political prophet is both unique and unparalleled. 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. (Magnolia Pictures)… Expand

Director: Kevin Macdonald

Genre(s): Biography, Music, Documentary

Rating: PG-13

Runtime: 144 min

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Critic Reviews

100

Joshua Rothkopf

Apr 17, 2012

The tunes, flooding every frame, remain perfect. Read full review

Kenneth Turan

Apr 19, 2012

What Marley and its wonderful performance footage leave you with most of all is the joy the man took in the music that set him free and enchanted the world. Read full review

Scott Bowles

Apr 22, 2012

Sprinkled with riffs, concert footage and home videos, the family-authorized documentary does what the artist usually did: When in doubt, return to the beat. Read full review

The Guardian Andrew Pulver

Apr 15, 2012

What results is an immensely detailed overview of Marley's life and times, from the hillside Jamaican shack where he grew up to the snowy Bavarian clinic where he spent his last weeks in a fruitless attempt to cure the cancer that killed him in 1981, aged 36. Read full review

Joe Morgenstern

Apr 19, 2012

The director, Kevin Macdonald, searches for clarity amid the contradictions of Marley's life and reaches no conclusions, but that's a tribute to his subject's complexity in a film of fascinating too-muchness. Read full review

Brad Wheeler

May 17, 2012

Marley the film wonderfully explains its subject's music. As for Macdonald's message, I'm just not sure. Read full review

Glenn Heath Jr.

Apr 19, 2012

The bloat and heft of Marley's narrative scope leaves the viewer awash in a sea of historical "facts" with very little sense of the human experience behind the curtain of celebrity. Read full review

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User Reviews

vivedreamer

Apr 28, 2012

The best Bob Marley doc to be made as of yet. I would recommend to any Bob or just hardcore music fans. The music and interviews are intertwined perfectly to present a comprehensive portrait of Bob.

0 of 1 users found this helpful01

Cubixreviews

May 14, 2012

Oh, I though that this was the review of the singer, LOL!! Still, I watched this documentary. It is the best documentary of Bob Marley. Keep doing awesome documentary, Mangolia Pictures!

0 of 1 users found this helpful01

Notorious

Apr 30, 2012

An excellent documentary not only for fans of the music, but for anyone with a remote interest in Bob Marley. We learn about Bob's upbringing, how he becomes a musical god and how his music touches people, both politically and commercially.

0 of 1 users found this helpful01

Halfwelshman

Jun 22, 2012

Marley is a truly memorable documentary, and a glorious and fitting tribute not only to one of the biggest icons of reggae music but to a remarkable and fascinating man. From the very first jaw-droppingly beautiful aerial shot of Jamaica, Kevin MacDonald captivates you with his undeniableMarley is a truly memorable documentary, and a glorious and fitting tribute not only to one of the biggest icons of reggae music but to a remarkable and fascinating man. From the very first jaw-droppingly beautiful aerial shot of Jamaica, Kevin MacDonald captivates you with his undeniable gift for documentary storytelling that really speaks to your heart. Rather than the usual dull "expert" talking heads, we watch interviews only from those who knew the subject best - his family, friends, band-mates and colourful neighbours. Bob Marley's life story is told in great depth and with incredible insight, and even the most ardent fan should come away better informed than before. I, for instance, never realised how central and domineering the Rastafarian religion was to Marley's life, nor how involved he became with political strife in South Africa and Zimbabwe. While some may accuse MacDonald of presenting an overly glamorous, rose-tinted view of Marley (he is clearly a fan), the way in which the documentary shows one of Marley's daughters talking about her father with such disdain and anger more than adequately covers his less-than-admirable personality traits. My only major criticism of the film is its running time, which is merciless. Consistently engaging though this documentary is, only the most dedicated viewer will get through the 2 hours 25 minutes unscathed. There's easily enough material here to split the story into two films, and then perhaps cover the darker elements of Marley's life in more detail. Over-long though it is, Marley remains a rewarding journey through an incredible life and wonderful music. The soundtrack, made up of Bob Marley's biggest hits in addition to some lesser-known early songs elevates the story even further, and not only allows you to re-appreciate his staggering talent, but in turn MacDonald's presentation of Marley's story allows you to glean the true meaning behind much of his songwriting. Everyone should be able to get something out of this tale of sunshine, passion and soul, but for a real fan of Bob Marley, this is essential viewing.… Expand

0 of 1 users found this helpful01

FDT44

Apr 20, 2012

While the journey of getting "Marley" to theaters was complex, (copious disputes over director/producers) it's documentation of the titular figure, to the audiences' dismay, is not nearly as intricate; his life, as delineated on-screen, although captured musically through some hit-nostalgicWhile the journey of getting "Marley" to theaters was complex, (copious disputes over director/producers) it's documentation of the titular figure, to the audiences' dismay, is not nearly as intricate; his life, as delineated on-screen, although captured musically through some hit-nostalgic riffs, feels unfulfilled compared to his off-screen life that saw moments of controversy--one most notably leading to the untimely end of his young life. Although such musical symbolism is effective in attemping to resurrect his name and rememberance, the film simply doesn't find a way to make him "feel" real. Instead, "Marley" is laden with incessant interviews, often back-to-back-to-back, a handful conflicting with each other, without director Kevin Macdonald making the least amount of effort to clear up the equivocation. Also seldom, are archival interviews with Bob Marley, himself. One would think the filmmakers would make it a priority to document the "man" and keep "others" documenting him to a limit. There are plenty of pictures snapped of him, and a couple clips, too, but the film primarily contains anecdotes told through the eyes of those who knew him best, most notably his children. However, the lasting image that is painted by the filmmakers in "Marley" is one that bears the scars of elongated delays in production, combating takes on creativity, and the overlying blatency of the indecent indignity that is held over it all, the film being hand-me-downed to the second highest bidder. Even more insulting, is the "4/20"--unoffically National Marijuana Day--release date that reverts back to the long-held self-concept of Marley as a ganja-smoking, marijuana mascot for all to lampoon at; it's a proscribing shame of a legacy. Not only is it a cheap gimmick from producers to get the stoner's to theaters, but more importantly, it unworthily labels a man who stood for much more than toking up and listening to reggae music; the film will be shown to millions who know little of Marley, and it is them, that need to know the "true him" most of all. Sadly to say, the film does him little justice, excluding much more than is satisfactory. Ultimately, it's still highly entertaining--leaving you with "what might have been...if...--even despite its 144 minute duration, which by its end, will supply one with a warm feeling to "jam."… Expand

1 of 1 users found this helpful10

chw

Aug 21, 2014

They made a **** movie out of a legend's life... This movie was so incredibly boring to me, all 2 hours 20 minutes of it. I tried watching it again to try make sense out of it again, but no, another 2 hours 20 minutes wasted, and I don't know how to use that amount for the quote "I want myThey made a **** movie out of a legend's life... This movie was so incredibly boring to me, all 2 hours 20 minutes of it. I tried watching it again to try make sense out of it again, but no, another 2 hours 20 minutes wasted, and I don't know how to use that amount for the quote "I want my __________ minutes back." That's Gone with the Wind and an episode of 24.… Expand

0 of 0 users found this helpful00

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