Marley (2011) — Jamaica

           Bob Marley (1945–1981) was born in the remote hills of Jamaica of a British white man and a Jamaican woman. He grew up in a shack with no water or electricity, and knew what real and regular hunger meant ("Drink some water and go to bed"). By the time he died of cancer at the age of 36, he was the global icon of reggae music, famous for his long dreadlocks, heavy use of marijuana, and ardent Rastafarian faith. This documentary film about his life and music is long at two and a half hours, but it held my interest. It draws upon virtually everyone who was close to him, including family, band members, managers, producers, and even the president of Jamaica. Uncomfortable truths are mentioned but not explored, like his eleven children by seven women, drug use, and the fights over his money after his death (he had no will). Still, Marley's lyrics of social and political justice live on. As you would expect, this film and sound track take full advantage of his music and archival footage of his concerts. I watched it in Netflix streaming.