Review: The Harder They Come, Sex, Drugs and Reggae

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Review: The Harder They Come, Sex, Drugs and Reggae

If it weren't for Ivan Martin in “The Harder They Come”, most likely we'd have no Bob Marley, as the main character, Ivan is no regular hero. Could Ivan be as petulant as Becks was against Argentina? Is church simply another way of expressing oppression and sexual frustration? In one form or another this movie explores each of these themes. Not to mention the other thing that Jamaica is famous for, drugs!

As we all know in the lower fifth, for many, sex, drugs and rock and roll, are considered the ultimate for a lighthearted adolescent, and in ‘The Harder They Come’ it is no different. We see Jimmy Cliff as Ivan, a lively tough personality driven by the desire to be rich. Ivan’s violent temperament and musical talent matches his yearning for wealth. This country bred boy moves to the city to pursue his aspiration to make a career in music, but this is quickly put on hold as he finds the corruption that floods the industry is never going to allow a Jamaican to be wealthy. America saps all the talent that Jamaica possesses, preventing anybody from rising into any sort of starlet.

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This ‘wannabe’ reggae star only finds poverty, corruption and a thriving casual drugs, trade ironically controlled by the police force and local petty criminals. He briefly finds solace working for a Preacher, but when he falls for and seduces his young female ward and assaults a local bully, he finds himself drifting. He makes a record, but it is stolen by the producer (who controls the radio stations and clubs because he is the only supplier, and in the pay of America). Eventually he becomes a drug courier, and on seeing the huge profits being made by dealers in America ...

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