Marvellous

This was an unexpected treasure: I'd missed the film on TV, but we selected it following a rave review from one of our Members.  I enjoyed it very much: the stylised presentation (and occasional incursions by real people) well suited the slightly incredible story that was - mostly - true.

Here are my notes:

Marvellous

UK 2014                      90 minutes

Director:                      Julian Farino

Starring:                        Toby Jones, Gemma Jones, Tony Curran and Nicholas Grieves

Neil Baldwin (Toby Jones) has a life that is both ordinary and extraordinary.  He lives with his widowed mother (Gemma Jones) and despite his learning difficulties he begins his working life as a clown in a circus, becomes the mascot for Stoke City Football Club and also becomes a student liaison officer for Stoke University.

Neil Baldwin’s life story first appeared as an article in The Guardian which detailed his unexpected friendships with football managers, football players, referees, vicars, bishops, archbishops, politicians and celebrities.  The film reflects this diverse life by being put together as a scrapbook of Neil’s life and includes appearances by real characters (Neil himself, plus Lou Macari and Gary Lineker).

Toby Jones won rave reviews for his performance as Neil Baldwin.  He made his breakthrough playing Truman Capote in Infamous (2006) and has since appeared in films as diverse as Captain America: The First Avenger (2011), Tinker Taylor Soldier Spy (2011) as well as the Harry Potter series where he provided the voice for Dobby the House Elf.  On TV he secured a Golden Globe nomination for his role as Alfred Hitchcock in The Girl (2012).

Julian Farino started his TV career by making documentaries before directing the BAFTA winning Our Mutual Friend.  In the US he directed episodes of the TV series Entourage, Big Love and Rome before directing his first feature film The Oranges (2012) which starred Hugh Laurie in his first leading role.

Here is the trailer: