Marvellous (2014)

Please don't spend money on this.

A different way of telling a story

Tells a fascinating and unsettling true story, and does so well, without pretending to have all the answers.

A terrific literary drama and character piece that shows how the process of creating art can be seen differently by those doing it and those looking at it from the outside.

Delightfully small and warm, Marvellous tells the story of one of the greatest human beings living today, Neil Baldwin. Neil is kind man, a registered clown, a devout follower of the Church of England, a Stoke City enthusiast and a frequent visitor at the local university he does not study at. Neil goes through life like we all ought to go through life, always trying to relativize events positively. This incredible made for TV movie (a fact that can only be seen in the budgetary constraints, not in the quality, there it rises above most big budget blockbusters), feels a lot like the French film Amélie. That film too was overtly positive, believed in the inherent goodness of people and had me crying tears of joy at some points. Marvellous is not easy to find, but please try, it is well worth the extra effort. Don't do it because I said so, do it to experience the joy that is Neil Baldwin.

As others have said the title of this film sums it up perfectly. Neil or Nello is a little different, but manages through his own innocence, love of life and the fear switch turn firmly to off to have a more interesting life than most of us. The film does not gloss over his difficulties or the fact that he is not always treated kindly. It does however show that he expects things to work out and for others to be as nice as he is. Mostly his faith in human nature is justified. The relationship with his mother is so touching. She wants to protect and look after him but her advancing age makes her realise that the only way she can do this is to make him more independent. He struggles with everyday tasks much more than he does with the less than ordinary places which make up his daily life, Keele University, Stoke City FC and even the House of Commons. This film made me laugh and cry. I was a student at Keele in the 1980s, I knew Nello quite well. Seeing him appear as his older self in the film was great. This story is true, if anything it slightly underplays just how marvellous Nello is.

Simply 'Marvellous'. This word itself describes the movie. As 2014 is reaching its end, we can see many lists for best movies/TV series floating on the internet. And that's how I find this movie with IMDb rating 8.2. So naturally, I put it on my watch list. And yes that was a decision I certainly didn't regret. This is a biopic and is one of the best dramas I watched in 2014. It is a TV movie aired on BBC TWO. You will get fully involved with the life of Neil. A man who has learning disabilities but in fact he is differently enabled. He is sure of everything. For him life is happiness. He does everything what he wants to do. Every new person he meet is very good friend of him. He can simply ask any thing and surly gets it. A very good job done by director Julian Farino. Also a very nice story and script by Peter Bowker. Outstanding acting by Toby Jones and Gemma Jones as Neil and his mother Mary. They both gave a memorable performance that will certainly add some accolades in their chest. I enjoyed the movie, every bit of it. It plays with your emotions. You will laugh and will want to cry at some points. Full of fun yet teaches you the philosophy of a great life. And be careful, if you miss one line, you may miss a very beautiful message/ outlook on life. In every department it's a perfect movie. Great story and script. Good direction. Camera captures every emotion very cleverly. Back ground music goes with the movies pace. And of course very good use of choir sings popular songs accompanied by ukuleles. And in some department I have no hesitation to compare it with one of the greatest movie of all time "Forrest Gump".I will give it a 10 on the scale of 10.

"Marvellous"is a docudrama about Neil Baldwin,a man who is wired just a little differently to most of us.Neil can see a solution before a problem is even apparent to others."It's good to be nice to people" is his credo and he lives it 100% long after most of us would have thought it's good to give some people a smack.A footballer at Stoke City refers to him as a "mong" and Neil says calmly and politely "I am not a mong" and carries on having forgotten the incident. The programme could have been mawkish,or sentimental,or patronising,or deadly serious,but in fact it is very funny and uplifting - much like its subject. Neil's obsession with Stoke City F.C. leads to him being given the job of kitman by the then manager Lou Macari who is eventually poached by Celtic but he uses Neil as a sub in his last home game - a wonderful gesture. As Macari is leaving he turns to Nello and says "You once asked me who was my best signing?Well,you were ....by far and away".Brilliantly played by both actors. The programme is made in what might be described as the Richard Lester school of early post - modern irony with Neil Baldwin appearing as himself from time to time,correcting the screenplay when it is in danger of verging into the hyperbolic. Neil is a registered circus clown and a stalwart student helper at Keele University whose work was recognised by an honorary degree. But you feel his heart is at the football club where he has become a cult figure. But most of all,"Marvellous" is a celebration of the indomitability of the human spirit,the triumph of the unorthodox and the affect of a truly child - like grown - up person on those around him. I found it funny and moving in equal measures and turned off the TV feeling slightly more optimistic about my fellow men than is my wont at 10.30 at night.