Directed by Julian Farino and written by Peter Bowker, this film tells the story of Neil Baldwin as he goes through his life following his ambitions. Early in his life Neil is considered to have learning difficulties, but this never stops him. He joins the circus because he wants to and becomes Nello the Clown. When the circus leaves him behind his mothers tells him he needs a job, but it's ok, he finds his way to Keele University where welcome new students and runs the football team. When his mother mentions that he needs financial stability, it is ok because he gets a job at his beloved Stoke city as a mascot and kitman. Along the way he meets Tony Benn in the House of Commons, he meets and befriends Prince Andrew, he plays in a testimonial match for Stoke City and (almost) scores the winning goal (ok, nowhere near!), he gets to sit with the race officials at the Oxbridge boat race - all because he just asks to do it. Neil goes to prove that with the right attitude and outlook on life, anything is possible and that we are only restricted by ourselves.
Toby Jones brings Neil "Nello" Baldwin to life in this biopic and he does a fantastic job. There are scenes scattered through this film where the real Neil Baldwin sits alongside Toby Jones and it's plain to see that they aren't identical, but what Jones does is bring the character to life in all his glory, and importantly he brings Baldwin's story to life. As Hollywood often discovers, you can throw millions and billions of dollars and special effects at a movie and sometimes it lacks a heart to make it noteworthy. This film does quite the opposite, like it's source material it has a massive heart, and that is enough to really engage the audience and let them fall in love with Baldwin, like so many people who have met him have done too.
This is a fun and uplifting film that has the ability to warm the heart and give its audience a range of emotions. You would be forgiven for thinking that some parts of the film are made up due to how bizarre they are, but in truth the only things that are really made up are some of the scenery and environments that Jones is filmed in (for example, Stoke City had moved to the Britannia Stadium long before the film was made and their old Victoria ground had been knocked down. The film used Crewe Alexandra's ground as well as Wrexham's to get around this.). I could happily recommend this to anyone as a down to earth, feel-good film that would suit a wide audience and have something there for everyone. It is comparable to other kitchen-sink British media experienced and it uses some old-school approaches to present itself, as well as some more modern techniques too. A joy to watch and deserving of the name on the box, this truly is "Marvellous".
