Bob Marley: One Love is no one-of-a-kind. The cinema-shattering success of Bohemian Rhapsody back in 2018 had audiences flocking to see Queen perform on screen to the sum of $910.8 million at the worldwide box office. Next followed its enormous awards success.
Said success proved how popular these kinds of films can be, whether they lean on archival footage or go down the star-studded cast route. Since then, Elton John, Elvis Presley and Whitney Houston biopics have been brought to screens with the support of the subject or their families.
Bob Marley: One Love, starring Kingsley Ben-Adir as the lead singer of The Wailers, is the latest take on the cinematic trend. Its opening weekend box office eclipsed expectations, suggesting the biopic genre is in no danger of slowing down.
Like Bohemian Rhapsody, I Wanna Dance With Somebody, and parts of Rocketman and Elvis, Bob Marley: One Love has no intention of breaking the artistic mould. Like its cinematic predecessors, it avoids deeply probing the psyche of its iconic protagonist and doesn’t threaten their legacy.
Instead, for 1 hour and 47 minutes, the audience gets to feel like they’re spending time with Bob Marley and his wife and backing vocalist Rita Marley (Lashana Lynch) and watch him create and perform some of the most incredible music ever made.
At times that’s undeniably enjoyable to watch unfold, even if you can’t help but wonder if some of the events really went down in the way depicted.
Ultimately, though, long periods and many parts of Bob Marley: One Love feel too sanitised and predictable, especially when it comes to its music cues. For example, when Bob and Rita argue, No Woman, No Cry starts to play.
Rather than focusing entirely on Bob Marley’s life and career and linearly unveiling his story, Bob Marley: One Love actually opens up in Jamaica in 1976. Political conflict is so rife in the country that it has begun to affect daily life for everyone, as crime and shootings take place in daylight in front of children.
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Bob, at this point 31 years old and already one of the most popular musicians in Jamaican history, decides to hold a concert to promote peace and unity across the country, and bring the warring factions together.
But as he is preparing for it, Bob, Rita and several members of his band are shot by political protesters. After realising his presence is putting everyone close to him in jeopardy, he sends Rita and their children to the US and travels with the band to London.
Over the next few months, Bob contemplates how he can help his country from thousands of miles away. The result is Exodus, one of the most successful albums ever created.
Bob, Rita and the band tour Europe with their music and he aims to take the concerts to Africa, too. But he soon makes a shocking discovery that prompts him to return home, where he’s still unsure if he’s actually safe.
Bob Marley: One Love isn’t terrible. It’s just like every other recent music biopic. This is made all the more frustrating because Marley was such a complex, fascinating and ultimately hopeful man.
The script from Terence Winter, Frank E Flowers, Zach Baylin and Reinald Marcus Green, who also directs, is too focused on presenting him as a mythical and almost flawless figure.
This makes sense, considering how involved Marley’s family was in its creation, but it means Bob Marley: One Love always feels like it’s being held back, especially since there’s almost zero conflict for two thirds of the film.
Of course, the positive of having the family’s backing is that the film is full of great music and musical moments. It’s undeniably interesting and even cool to see the supposed creations of the songs.
Both Ben-Adir and Lynch are tremendous in their roles, while the use of Jamaican patois and the beautiful locations make the film more interesting and authentic to watch unfold.
But it’s all at surface level. It feels like you’re watching a Wikipedia entry come to life. Marley deserves so much better. Considering how much money the film looks set to make, it seems to be exactly what viewers want from the genre. For now, at least.
Because if music biopics don’t freshen up their act quickly, audience fatigue will surely soon set in.
What can victims do?
Always use only regulated platforms
Stop all transactions and communication on suspicion
Save all evidence (screenshots, chat logs, transaction IDs)
Report to local authorities
Warn others to prevent further harm
Courtesy: Crystal Intelligence
RESULTS
6.30pm: Emirates Holidays Maiden (TB) Dh 82,500 (Dirt) 1,900m
Winner: Lady Snazz, Richard Mullen (jockey), Satish Seemar (trainer).
7.05pm: Arabian Adventures Maiden (TB) Dh 82,500 (D) 1,200m
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8.15pm: Emirates Airline Conditions (TB) Dh 120,000 (D) 1,400m
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Winner: Kinver Edge, Richard Mullen, Satish Seemar.
9.15pm: Emirates.com (TB) Dh 95,000 (D) 2,000m
Winner: Firnas, Xavier Ziani, Salem bin Ghadayer.
UAE currency: the story behind the money in your pockets
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EMERGENCY PHONE NUMBERS
Estijaba – 8001717 – number to call to request coronavirus testing
Ministry of Health and Prevention – 80011111
Dubai Health Authority – 800342 – The number to book a free video or voice consultation with a doctor or connect to a local health centre
Emirates airline – 600555555
Etihad Airways – 600555666
Ambulance – 998
Knowledge and Human Development Authority – 8005432 ext. 4 for Covid-19 queries
Lexus LX700h specs
Engine: 3.4-litre twin-turbo V6 plus supplementary electric motor
Power: 464hp at 5,200rpm
Torque: 790Nm from 2,000-3,600rpm
Transmission: 10-speed auto
Fuel consumption: 11.7L/100km
On sale: Now
Price: From Dh590,000
WOMAN AND CHILD
Director: Saeed Roustaee
Starring: Parinaz Izadyar, Payman Maadi
Rating: 4/5
The specs
Common to all models unless otherwise stated
Engine: 4-cylinder 2-litre T-GDi
0-100kph: 5.3 seconds (Elantra); 5.5 seconds (Kona); 6.1 seconds (Veloster)
Power: 276hp
Torque: 392Nm
Transmission: 6-Speed Manual/ 8-Speed Dual Clutch FWD
Price: TBC
The specs
- Engine: 3.9-litre twin-turbo V8
- Power: 640hp
- Torque: 760nm
- On sale: 2026
- Price: Not announced yet
SQUADS
UAE
Mohammed Naveed (captain), Mohamed Usman (vice-captain), Ashfaq Ahmed, Chirag Suri, Shaiman Anwar, Mohammed Boota, Ghulam Shabber, Imran Haider, Tahir Mughal, Amir Hayat, Zahoor Khan, Qadeer Ahmed, Fahad Nawaz, Abdul Shakoor, Sultan Ahmed, CP Rizwan
Nepal
Paras Khadka (captain), Gyanendra Malla, Dipendra Singh Airee, Pradeep Airee, Binod Bhandari, Avinash Bohara, Sundeep Jora, Sompal Kami, Karan KC, Rohit Paudel, Sandeep Lamichhane, Lalit Rajbanshi, Basant Regmi, Pawan Sarraf, Bhim Sharki, Aarif Sheikh
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COMPANY PROFILE
Name: Kumulus Water
Started: 2021
Founders: Iheb Triki and Mohamed Ali Abid
Based: Tunisia
Sector: Water technology
Number of staff: 22
Investment raised: $4 million
Royal wedding inspired menu
Ginger, citrus and orange blossom iced tea
Avocado ranch dip with crudites
Cucumber, smoked salmon and cream cheese mini club sandwiches
Elderflower and lemon syllabub meringue
Francesco Totti's bio
Born September 27, 1976
Position Attacking midifelder
Clubs played for (1) - Roma
Total seasons 24
First season 1992/93
Last season 2016/17
Appearances 786
Goals 307
Titles (5) - Serie A 1; Italian Cup 2; Italian Supercup 2
The Buckingham Murders
Starring: Kareena Kapoor Khan, Ash Tandon, Prabhleen Sandhu
Director: Hansal Mehta
Rating: 4 / 5
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Tips to stay safe during hot weather
- Stay hydrated: Drink plenty of fluids, especially water. Avoid alcohol and caffeine, which can increase dehydration.
- Seek cool environments: Use air conditioning, fans, or visit community spaces with climate control.
- Limit outdoor activities: Avoid strenuous activity during peak heat. If outside, seek shade and wear a wide-brimmed hat.
- Dress appropriately: Wear lightweight, loose and light-coloured clothing to facilitate heat loss.
- Check on vulnerable people: Regularly check in on elderly neighbours, young children and those with health conditions.
- Home adaptations: Use blinds or curtains to block sunlight, avoid using ovens or stoves, and ventilate living spaces during cooler hours.
- Recognise heat illness: Learn the signs of heat exhaustion and heat stroke (dizziness, confusion, rapid pulse, nausea), and seek medical attention if symptoms occur.
UAE currency: the story behind the money in your pockets
Poacher
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The burning issue
The internal combustion engine is facing a watershed moment – major manufacturer Volvo is to stop producing petroleum-powered vehicles by 2021 and countries in Europe, including the UK, have vowed to ban their sale before 2040. The National takes a look at the story of one of the most successful technologies of the last 100 years and how it has impacted life in the UAE.
Read part four: an affection for classic cars lives on
Read part three: the age of the electric vehicle begins
Read part one: how cars came to the UAE
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Benefits of first-time home buyers' scheme
- Priority access to new homes from participating developers
- Discounts on sales price of off-plan units
- Flexible payment plans from developers
- Mortgages with better interest rates, faster approval times and reduced fees
- DLD registration fee can be paid through banks or credit cards at zero interest rates
Killing of Qassem Suleimani
Global Fungi Facts
• Scientists estimate there could be as many as 3 million fungal species globally
• Only about 160,000 have been officially described leaving around 90% undiscovered
• Fungi account for roughly 90% of Earth's unknown biodiversity
• Forest fungi help tackle climate change, absorbing up to 36% of global fossil fuel emissions annually and storing around 5 billion tonnes of carbon in the planet's topsoil
UAE currency: the story behind the money in your pockets
UAE currency: the story behind the money in your pockets
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