Chiwetel Ejiofor harnesses an earnest but electric true story.

Sometimes in storytelling, simplicity is everything. Get yourself a simple, honest script with the right amount of heart and you’ll go far.

So, while The Boy Who Harnessed The Wind won’t be winning any originality awards any time soon, its unpretentious script and it’s heart make it an inspirational triumph.

It’s set up is a classic against-all-odds story that throws us into the harsh realities of life in rural Malawi as seen through the eyes of the bright, young William Kamkwamba. Announcing itself with a death and spiralling from there, ‘The Boy Who Harnessed The Wind’ doesn’t hold back on the harsh realities of a village torn apart by politics, economics, and failing crops. This, however, is the foundation for a true-life tale of quiet heroism as William uses his smarts and almost superhuman desire to engineer a route out of poverty for his family and community.

It’s a classic underdog story that sees our young protagonist take knock after knock, yet come back swinging, before the building to a rousing conclusion. The film really isn’t much more than that, yet it doesn’t pretend to be. Corruption, politics, and the wider economic climate are touched upon but this is a deeply personal story of triumph over adversity and, while it never really pushes the envelope, it’s impossible to resist its charms.

As an accomplished directorial debut from its star Chiwetel Ejiofor, The Boy Who Harnessed The Wind is boosted by affective performances from its cast. Ejiofor is perfect as a struggling father, while Aïssa Maïga is a delight as a mother trying her best in devastating circumstances, but the true star is young Maxwell Simba, whose charming performance is the beating heart of the film.

While you’ll have seen the story before, it’s impossible to resist the inspirational charms of The Boy Who Harnessed The Wind. Boosted by top performances and the accomplished directorial eye of Chiwetel Ejiofor, this is a film that makes the most of its simple plot to showcase the kind of uplifting true-life story we all need now and again.

The Boy Who Harnessed The Wind is available to stream on Netflix now.