A Review Of Bob Marley One Love: The Gift Of Prophecy And Symbolic Imagery/Visions
Last week I was fortunate enough to watch Bob Marley One Love which is a movie that explores the life of Bob Marley, and even days after watching this film I am left with the same sentiments. As I typed this, I also realised that I got to watch this during Black History Month which gives this even more meaning as it was already a beautifully depicted film which was real & raw and invoked an array of emotions in me.
I also believe the aforementioned was made possible because of the role the Marley family played in ensuring the movie mirrored real elements of his life. Now for me, I found this movie to be quite sad but sad in a good way, but I’m also quite sensitive so I understand that how I viewed certain scenes may not necessarily be the way others view them. But that’s the beauty of perspective, we can all view things from different lenses.
But onto the real reason why I am here today and writing, I can’t help but remember the vivid depictions of Bob Marley’s visions. From being engulfed by a ring of fire to Haile Selassie telling him it’s now time to come home to the visions of the shooter in the crowds. All these scenes mean different things and for me it was the profound and instinctive feeling that I felt whilst watching Bob’s first vision that damn he truly was a prophet.
I understand that many Rastafarians believe that Bob Marley was a prophet and through his music he delivered the prophetic words of peace and unity, but for me it was the full circle moment that occurred from his first vision which depicts Bob running through the fields and being surrounded by the engulfing ring of fire, it is noted throughout the film Bob Marley often said that it’s ironic that he often sings and speaks about peace but the life he has lived mirrors nothing of what he preaches to the masses.
It also got me thinking that sometimes in life, when your purpose and mission in life is to heal and help others you often experience very challenging times and I believe that is Gods way and our ancestors way of testing us. Making sure that despite the challenges and the turbulence we remain dedicated to the cause in good faith and in hope that we may help and heal others.
As I type this piece, I have YG Marley’s “Praise Jah in the Moonlight” and you can’t deny that he has his grandfather’s gift. But back to the visions, despite being politically attacked on various occasions and having to leave his homeland, it is quite the moment when we the film draws to an end and we see that in his last vision we see Haile Selassie take little Bob on his horse and ride away with him, and whilst I have referred to this scene above the symbolism is of great importance.
As we learn from One Love, Bob Marley is diagnosed with cancer and thus the transition for him to return home begins. Although it is quite the juxtaposition, it is in this hour of sickness he begins to find the peace he had longed for most of his life. We see how Ruth Marley takes care of Bob when she calms his down and washes his dreads, when he begins to sign the classic Exodus and his kids gather around him, the eye contact that was maintained by Ruth and Bob Marley signified it was time or should I say the time in which he would return home would be soon coming.
Instinctively Ruth knew this, and for me this highlighted how much of a prophet he truly was. How spiritual he was and the path of martyrdom he had experienced this lifetime, from the rejection and abandonment of his father and later his mother to the love troubles he experienced in his personal relationships and affairs, it was pre-destined that he would walk this path. And as it is often quoted God truly gives his strongest battles to his strongest soldiers, because despite his own physical pains and wounds he was able to uplift a nation that was at the brink of civil war and speak peace over the nation through his gift.
Now having watched this movie not knowing too much about the life of Bob Marley, I was left inspired and touched by his courage in the face of adversity. Despite the setbacks and attempts against his life he never stopped preaching and advocating for the people. Healing the nation through personal philosophy and way of life, it was more than just a movement. It was who he was and quite clearly, we can see this by the legacy he has left behind and in the footsteps his children and grandchild. As someone who had unworthy to take up space and humanitarian causes in the ways I wanted to, this movie truly inspired me. To be fearless in the face of adversity, to choose the path that speaks to my soul and to most importantly not forget my purpose on earth whether I like to admit it at times, I am here to serve the people.
Not all prophets will be dressed in religious garments neither will they shout and scream about their holiness. Most times, God/Jah/The Most High will use those who look nothing like the above. The gift of prophecy was something that was born within Bob Marley and through his music he was able to use this as a medium to not only shed light on real & political issues but also to inspire hope in the hearts of the people.
I cannot encourage you enough to watch One Love, and no I am not being paid to say this. I say this to friends and family because this movie truly left an imprint on my heart and I most definitely would watch it again!!
Thank you for reading my written piece on One Love and the symbolic visions that were illustrated throughout the film and if this analysis resonated with you, please leave a comment below. Should you be interested in any of my other written work head over to stories tab to check out more of my work & to see more of my everyday life visit my Instagram page @yourfavourite.gemimi to see more!
