Marvellous (2014) (TV)

Cast includes:
CHARACTER	ACTOR/ACTRESS	RATING
Neil Baldwin	Toby Jones
Lou Macari	Tony Curran
Mary Baldwin	Gemma Jones	½
Malcolm	Greg McHugh	½
Rev Mark	Nicholas Gleaves	½
Themselves	Neil Baldwin Gary Lineker Lou Macari Uriah Rennie

Review

The by nature confined life of Neil Baldwin, a middle-aged Stoke City fan, honorary graduate of Keele University and lover of life, is transformed into a life of wonder – first by Baldwin himself, thanks to his remarkably positive outlook on life and his ability to get himself into the most incredible of situations – and then by the makers of this warm and life-affirming film. Toby Jones stars as Baldwin, and the real Neil Baldwin appears as himself in a number of hilarious meta-level segments. Although director Julian Farino makes a film as stripped of animosity and resistance as Baldwin himself, Marvellous doesn't end up as a drag. On the contrary, after spending around fifteen minutes getting into gear, the film doesn't look back. And why should it, when it's got a character as inspiring as Baldwin to draw inspiration from. The film is filled with touching moments that remind us what it really means to be human. It's perfect medicine for us modern workaholics, should we ever start doubting what life really is about. Toby Jones does very well in the lead, even if it's quite obvious that he can never match the fire in the eyes of the real Neil Baldwin.