One Love (2003)

Released in 2003 and co-directed by Don Letts and Rick Elgood, One Love is a Jamaican romantic drama that pitches itself somewhere between a sun-soaked love story and a music industry cautionary tale. The film centres on Kassa, a free-spirited Rastaman who falls for Serena, a devout gospel singer, when the two cross paths competing in a local music contest. Standing in their way is Serena's pastor father, who has rather different plans for his daughter's future, and a record label boss whose interest in Kassa's band comes with strings firmly attached. It is the kind of premise that has been around since Romeo and Juliet, the star-crossed lovers from opposite worlds, and the film makes no particular effort to disguise that debt. What sets it apart, at least on paper, is its Jamaican setting and the genuine musical culture it draws from, a country with a rich and well-documented tradition of putting music at the centre of its storytelling, as anyone familiar with The Harder They Come or Rockers will know well.

Don Letts is a figure with genuine cultural credibility. Known primarily as a filmmaker and DJ closely associated with the British punk and reggae crossover scene of the late 1970s, he brings a music-world instinct to the project, even if One Love operates at the lighter, more commercial end of the spectrum compared to his documentary work. Rick Elgood, his co-director, had previously made Dancehall Queen (1997), another Jamaican production built around music and performance. The film was produced with backing from the UK Film Council and distributed through Blue Dolphin, giving it a modest but respectable platform for a co-production of this kind. At 100 minutes, it does not overstay its welcome, even if the pacing occasionally suggests it might like to try.

The cast is an interesting mix. Ky-Mani Marley, son of Bob Marley, brings an obvious and marketable connection to Jamaican musical heritage, and he had already appeared in front of the camera in Shottas the year before. Cherine Anderson, a Jamaican singer and actress, takes the role of Serena, and her real-life vocal ability gives her musical scenes an authenticity that a purely dramatic performer might have struggled to match. Idris Elba, already building a reputation on both sides of the Atlantic, appears in a supporting role, alongside Vas Blackwood and Winston 'Bello' Bell. It is, on the surface, a polished but unremarkable ensemble for a film of this budget and ambition, the kind of cast that suggests some genuine effort went into the production without quite landing the marquee names that might have pushed it further.

Alright, let’s get this out of the way first: One Love is about as coherent as a reggae remix of a disco album, vibey, occasionally catchy, but ultimately all over the place. It’s a romantic comedy set in Jamaica with a soundtrack that slaps, some gorgeous scenery, and a baffling cameo from Idris Elba that feels like it belongs in a different movie entirely. Kymani Marley and Cherine Anderson are fine leads, easy on the eyes, easy on the ears. Cherine, in particular, is the real MVP here. She can sing! and her musical performances are easily the film’s high points. Watching her belt out tunes on stage, you’re reminded that she could’ve been a star if handed better material. Kymani brings the charm and the Marley legacy, even if his acting range doesn’t stretch much beyond “laid-back lover boy.” The plot is standard rom-com fare: boy meets girl, boy loses girl due to a series of increasingly dumb misunderstandings, boy tries to win her back with poorly timed declarations of love. There’s something about chasing dreams in the music industry, but it never really grabs hold. The dialogue often veers into cringe territory (“You broke my heart… with your lyrics!”), and the pacing lags like a dial-up internet connection. Then there’s Idris Elba, who shows up for about six scenes as Cherine’s mysterious record producer boss. Why he’s in this movie? No idea. He looks like he was accidentally teleported in from a spy thriller. His presence adds zero narrative value. Still, the film has its moments, especially if you're in the mood for a lazy Sunday afternoon kind of watch. The Jamaican landscapes are lush, the soundtrack is full of feel-good vibes, and it's clear everyone involved was trying their best with what they had.

For me, that sums it up about right. There is enough warmth and musical energy here to make One Love a perfectly watchable way to spend a Sunday afternoon, but it never quite pulls together into something you'd rush to recommend. Cherine Anderson is the genuine discovery, and part of me wishes the film had leaned harder into her story rather than splitting its attention quite so unevenly. If you are after Jamaican cinema that really uses its setting and musical culture to say something, you are probably better served elsewhere on this site. But if you go in with modest expectations and a fondness for a breezy, sun-drenched romance, you could do worse. Just maybe keep the remote handy for the slower stretches.

Rating: ★★  | Year: 2003  | Watched: 2025-07-06

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Trailer

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Related on Movies With Macca

More with Ky-Mani Marley: Shottas (2002)
More from Jamaica: Rockers (1978) · Shottas (2002) · The Harder They Come (1972)
More from the 2000s: Kirikou and the Wild Beasts (2005) · Anchorman: The Legend of Ron Burgundy (2004) · Daredevil (2003) · Apocalypto (2006)
More drama: Viy (1967) · Wonder (2017) · A Better Tomorrow (1986) · Beautiful Boy (2018)
More romance: The Eagle (1925) · The Last Picture Show (1971) · The General (1926) · The Docks of New York (1928)