If you haven't seen it, it's the uplifting story a man with learning difficulties, 'a bit slow on the uptake' as his mum says. He has an eventful time of it, jobs as a clown and kit man for Stoke City. He meets Ken Dodd and Tony Benn. A successful, friend filled life making people around him happy.
I think individualists would claim him for their own. Despite his barriers, he hitchhikes, talks to people, charms his way into jobs and makes things happen for himself. Triumph of personal responsibility, of Tebbit's get on your bike theory.
However none of this would be possible without the support of civil society. The church look out for him, when the circus abandons him in Scotland he just walks to the nearest church and asked for a lift back to Stoke. Stoke City provide meaning, employment, friendship and belonging.
These institutions are not set up by the state, they don't exist for profit. These are the community organisations which fill the gaps and define a place (MK Dons hang your heads).
The state isn't mentioned much apart from the NHS. Housing benefit probably doesn't fit in the narrative arc but it's hard to imagine how he'd've got by on purely community support.
Ultimately family (his mum) does the lion's share.
While statists, communitarians, libertarians and mums might all lay claim to his success, he actually only thrives because all four of agencies are present in his life. One fills the gaps of the other. Society requires you to get off your own arse as well as properly organised and funded services. You also need people to look out for you and the social glue of voluntary institutions.
