There's always a clown/retard in every public organisation; as this movie (based on a true story) reminds us. As a Movie, it's rather well done and entertaining, however, that it's actually based on a real persons life events, is concern for worry (at least for me), and simply highlights how readily society is prepared to go for one person who just happens to be at the right place-at the right time. Tokenism in the extreme, is another valid headline, for society's willingness to showcase it's Christian attitude, (contrast that with the way refugees from war-torn middle east countries are greeted and treated when they land on the shores of their Christian neighbours). So if you can watch this without the underlying reality that i't actually a true story, you should enjoy it, but it will really grate your humanitarian bones once you realise it's actually true.

"The life of Neil Baldwin, a man who has shrugged off his perceived limitations to live an incredible life."I was utterly surprised at how 'marvellous' this film really is! After watching several blockbusters and academy award winning films this year, it's been a great and satisfying change to watch a film like 'Marvellous'. I enjoy the British style the movie has adopted, and the story is rather exceptional, I hadn't heard of this man beforehand, however after wards I have gained an extremely large sense of interest.The performances were grounded and very well executed. It could've easily been over-done, however I was pleasantly surprised. The cinematography is very simple and old-school yet very effective. The natural high key lighting is nicely motivated and it looks very pleasing.Overall, I really did enjoy this film. Go out and watch this! You will not regret it. P.S I enjoyed this more than Birdman. (Don't tell Lubezki!)

I saw small segments of the advert on television, and the article in the television schedules for this TV made film, at first I didn't know what it was, but because of the leading actor, and reading the description, it definitely sounded worthwhile. Based on the true story, Neil Baldwin (Toby Jones) was born just after World War II in Westlands in Newcastle-under-Lyme, Staffordshire, he is a man considered to have learning difficulties, but he has an appetite for life, and lives by the philosophy "I've always wanted to be happy, so I decided to be." With encouragement from his mother Mary (Gemma Jones) Neil joined the circus to become Nello the Clown, having left his job at the butchery, but he seems undaunted when the circus moves on without him, so he finds a cleaning job in Keele University, he also appoints himself unofficial greeter to new students, a role rewarded by an honorary degree in 2013. Neil has a passion for football, he manages the University's unofficial football team, named after him, and in 1992 he goes to meet and support the new manager of Stoke City, Lou Macari (Tony Curran), his beloved football team, and talks his way into becoming the team's kit man and unofficial mascot. With his friendly personality, his religious faith, and unflinching attitude there are no boundaries for Neil, he is able to turn up at the House of Commons and have tea with MP Tony Benn, he becomes a friend of Prince Andrew at Cambridge University which results in his name being on the Queen's Christmas card list, and claims to be friends to many religious and celebrity names, including the Archbishop of Canterbury, with their autographs and photographs in books, including Bibles. Neil overcomes setbacks through his life, including the death of his beloved Mother, who had been showing signs of being sick, but he never lets his limitations and unknown people's negative visions of him stop him from seizing opportunities, making many friends (close and distant) and living a marvellous life. Also starring Nicholas Gleaves as Rev Mark and Fresh Meat's Greg McHugh as Malcolm, and cameo appearances from Gary Lineker, Uriah Rennie, Norman Barrett, and the real Lou Macari and Neil Baldwin himself. Jones gives a fantastic and highly believable performance as the man with learning difficulties who always seems to remain positive, this biographical film has many elements to it, it has the realistic serious scenes, but in moments it becomes comedy, a musical, and clashes the scenes with both acted and the real footage which is really clever to watch, a great comedy drama. Very good!

Don't you just love it when you watch a film without knowing much about it and it absolutely goes above your expectations? That's what Marvellous did for me. It is an outstanding TV movie. Everything about this film is simply Marvellous! The film is an incredible true story which gives a great message to the viewers; it's a real heart warmer. Neil Baldwin is an incredible man who is portrayed so well by Toby Jones. The supporting cast were also very good and I liked how in parts of the film we also saw cameos from the real life people that the actors were portraying. A really unique way to shoot a film but it worked.As I watched this film I had a huge smile on my face the whole way through, it played with my emotions. Some of the one liners are incredibly funny and then some scenes are so happy that you want to laugh and cry.Some people may look at this and be put off by thinking that it's a film about football, please don't let this put you off. It is about so much more than that and overall is an incredible true story. "There's only one Neil Baldwin"9/10. – A film so good that it will probably end up in my top 10 for 2014 – Watch it!