One Chance

Synopsis: The story of Paul Potts (James Corden), a shy, overweight, bullied shop assistant with a passion for singing opera. When he was chosen to compete in Britain’s Got Talent he became an overnight success on You-tube and then went on to win the contest and become a world-renowned opera singer.

The main criticism of this style of film will be that it falls fair and square into the mainstream feel-good department. But at times that’s what film-makers set out to do and this one achieves its aim in spades. For those who know the story there may be few surprises but there is great heart, a terrific cast and a surprisingly tense lesser-known backdrop to the rags-to-riches tale familiar to fans. That the running time is economical, that there a good pace with little extraneous padding and plenty of plot points designed to engage also helps.

I don’t want to give away things that you may not know but suffice to say there are a number of seemingly insurmountable obstacles in Paul’s way. Not only his overweight appearance and extreme shyness but a number of sheer bad luck incidents that obstruct his path to ultimate fame. The familiar message to take from this type of film is that with enough desire and support (and, of course, talent), a person can get to their goal. Paul’s main support comes in the form of a delightful girlfriend he meets over the internet – Joolz (Alexandra Roach), a young woman about as unaffected as Paul and as supportive as a partner could be. Paul also has a best friend and work colleague Braddon (MacKenzie Crook) a zany guy, with a heart in all the right places. Whilst the character of Braddon is a touch over the top, Joolz is played with warmth and gentle affection.

Top Brit talent, Julie Walter and Colm Meaney, the latter swapping his Irish accent for a Welsh one, is cast in the roles of Paul’s Mum and Dad. Dad comes from a steel-foundry background and wants nothing more of his son than that he follow in the same blue-collar tradition. He cares nothing for opera and has little faith in his son’s abilities. Mum is more supportive.  These two characters tend to fall a bit too easily into the formulaic.  The one who shines most of all is James Corden as Paul. Corden who was acting in London theatre when the film makers spotted him and is also a well-known comedian brings a lovely comedic sensibility as well as plenty of compassion to his role. He has to do some of his own singing, but much of the singing is actually the voice of the real Paul Potts. It’s great, too, to see a leading man who is not all stunning Hollywood teeth and Mr Universe physique.

One of the film’s producers is Simon Cowell, the famously fearsome judge of Britain’s Got Talent, so of course his show gets quite a promotion in the form of scenes of auditioning and judging. Some cynics might deride this as a plug for Cowell but it does add to the authenticity.  

Though not a film to change the world, One Chance is one to put a big smile on your face, perhaps introduce you to an unknown world (who can resist Puccini’s "Nessun Dorma"?) and also to air once more some important qualities of life – those of striving, supportiveness, perseverance, faith in yourself, and not letting the bastards get you down.

Want more about this film?

Want something different?