I came across this movie and after reading a few reviews, I thought it was worth giving it a go. Well, I am glad I did because it has to be one of the best I have seen this year.The story of a man with learning disabilities who goes through life without a care in the world and gets pretty much all he wishes for by simply asking for it. People who come across him just fall in love with his personality, to the point that they feel blessed to have met him and have him in their lives.In a world as critical as ours, it's magical to see that a man like Nello can become such an icon. Not only is he a sports personality and a circus celebrity. He is now also a movie star!! This may well be his first and last movie, but it could not be a better way to start. Or finish.

Peter Bowker's script tells the real-life story of Neil Baldwin (Toby Jones), who overcame his learning difficulties to become a stalwart member of Stoke City F.C.'s backroom staff under manager Lou Macari (Tony Curran), as well as undertaking a variety of other jobs such as greeting new freshmen and women at Keele University and running his own soccer team.The production ingeniously combines dramatic action with brief interludes in which the fictional Neil encounters the real Neil and asks him questions about his life. This dramatic strategy draws attention to Baldwin's optimistic outlook on life, his enduring faith in God, and his belief that people are basically good-natured. Such qualities have given him the strength to cope with life, especially the trauma of losing his mother (played by Gemma Jones in the film).MARVELLOUS also includes musical interludes, in which a choir sings popular songs, both secular and religious ("The Lord's My Shepherd I'll Not Want") accompanied by ukuleles. During one such sequence we see the fictional Neil participating, even though he does not really feel like it in the wake of his mother's death. Such scenes emphasize the importance of community spirit to Neil's life as a means of providing him with emotional and physical support. They serve as a musical counterpoint to the sequences set in the changing-rooms of Stoke City F.C., where Neil listens to (and sometimes participates) in the banter between Macari and his players. Julian Farino's production eschews historical accuracy for dramatic effect; we learn at the end that Neil has worked at Keele for nearly half a century, yet the bulk of the action appears to be set in the late Eighties and early Nineties (judging from the age of the cars seen in the background). Such strategies emphasize the timelessness of the tale; we are not witnessing a period drama per se, but a triumphant chronicle of an individual overcoming adversity and carving out a niche for himself that is both professionally and personally satisfying.Toby Jones gives a memorable performance as Neil. This versatile actor, who moves from film, to television and radio with equal facility, portrays the central character as someone whose naivété is particularly endearing. His capacity for ending conversations with logical non sequiturs is amazing, rendering his friends and acquaintances absolutely speechless. Jones' most memorable moment comes in a sequence just after his mother's death, when he sits alone in his cluttered apartment, staring at the wall, and bursts into floods of tears as he finally understands that he is now totally alone. But, true to form, he surmounts this loss and ends up achieving one of his cherished ambitions; to play for Stoke City (even if it is only a testimonial match).MARVELLOUS is one of those understated dramas that British television does really well. Full of unexpected pleasures as well as some extremely funny lines, it deserves to be considered a modern classic.

"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.

I've seen all the blockbusters this year. Guardians was great with an awesome soundtrack. X-Men was epic and Captain America was excellent but Toby Jones' best film this year doesn't have to rely on special effects to tell a very special story. This film has real heart and tells an extraordinary story with warmth and humour about Stoke City's famous kit man, ex circus clown Neil Baldwin, who along with ex Man United legend Lou Macari, appear in sporadic scenes with the actors who play their parts beautifully. These interjections work brilliantly and give you a sense of Neil Baldwin's wonderful personality. I was very impressed with David Tennant's performance in United but I think Tony Curran has trumped him here. In fact all the cast were excellent including Gemma Jones, who we know as Brigid Jones' mother, and Nicholas Gleaves. Gary Linikear also makes an impressive cameo. It's a better film than United which was in itself excellent and though It may not have the drama of The Damned United, it's definitely on a par artistically. If you don't feel good after watching this film you have serious problems!