One Chance - Einmal im Leben

When I read that "One Chance" was going to be the life story of "Britain's Got Talent" winner Paul Potts. I knew I wanted to see it for sheer pop culture curiosity, but I was not sure it was going to be any good. This is especially since I had heard nothing about this film until I saw that it was going to be shown in movie theaters this week.

We follow the life of Paul, a bullied overweight loner since childhood whose only dream in life was to sing opera. But growing up in suburban Wales where the main industry was steel works, he did not get much support, except from his loyal mother.

In the course of this film, We see him meet a wonderful woman whom he eventually marries. However, we also see him repeatedly fail in singing and totally lose confidence about his abilities. Of course, we know this story will culminate in his memorable audition on Britain's Got Talent" in front of Simon Cowell and company.

Honestly I was expecting this film to be mundane predictable biopic following the unexpected rise of a loser to becoming a winner and star. However, surprise, surprise. This turned out to be one very delightful and entertaining inspirational film which would appeal to most audiences, not only Paul Potts fans.

I have not really known of either of the lead actors before watching this film, but the film's success was because of their charisma. James Corden got the child-like innocence and charming dorkishness of Paul down pat. We can't help but identify with his struggles, groan at his bad decisions and root for him to go for his dream. I am now a fan of Alexandra Roach who gave an utterly amazing heart-tugging performance of Paul's wife Julz. Her hypnotizing eyes radiates goodness and kindness. The two of them have such rich and believable chemistry between them.

Julie Walters is such a chameleon in her roles. As Paul's ever- supporting mother Yvonne, she is so natural and effortless in her remarkable performance. Colm Meaney is just right to play Paul's gruff and skeptical father. Mackenzie Crook plays Paul's offbeat boss. While he is too batty to be a real person, he provides the comic relief to lighten up the mood.

The first thirty minutes were positively glorious. My smile would not leave my face as the unfolding story made me feel very happy. The script was so witty and funny even as there were not so good things happening. The energy tended to bog in the middle third with the series of misfortunes which befell Paul. But that was necessary in order to make the triumphant third act more exciting and moving, even if we already knew how it would all end.

Other reviews for this movie (from "professional" reviewers) all point out how shallow this movie is when it comes to showing the feelings Paul is having at the various things that happen to him throughout his life. This may very well be the case. But this movie was not made to be a Doctoral Thesis on the effects of bullying. Rather, it was made to show how, once a young man becomes a coward in his youth, it is almost impossible to overcome later in life. The scene in the alley (when the chick comes to his rescue with the guitar) shows how, as an adult, Paul could only get the barest semblance of rage at his life-long tormentor, even though he had all the reason in the world to go ballistic. After losing his voice, he was unwilling to take a chance at being ridiculed by an audience, so he almost didn't even fill-in the form for Britain's Got Talent. He almost didn't go on stage (several times).

There must be a lot of kids getting bullied in England for their love of opera. Just this year, there was another case -- Lucy Kay -- who went through the same torture. She finished second, and has been signed by Simon Cowell personally for one of his labels.

Yes, this movie will not win an Oscar -- or even play in any American theaters -- but you need to see it. If you bullied fellow school mates when you were young, you might want to go find those now-grown-up kids and apologize. If you were bullied, this movie will inspire you.

Structurally speaking, ONE CHANCE follows the trajectory of just about every showbiz rags-to-riches movie you could think of. There's the skeptical father (Colm Meaney) offset by the devoted mother (Julie Walters); the best friend (Mackenzie Crook) who supports Paul (James Corden) despite evidence the contrary; the dramatic reversal scene where Paul is told by Luciano Pavarotti that he will never make the grade; the touching scene where Paul's wife Julie-Ann (Alexandra Roach) vows to support him through thick and thin; and the climactic sequence on the talent show BRITAIN'S GOT TALENT where Paul proves himself in front of the judges including Simon Cowell (the film's Executive Producer). And yet the film has a certain integrity to it: James Corden gives a winning performance as Paul, conveying the uncertainty and gawkiness of the character. Roach makes a convincing lifetime partner - someone who willingly puts up with Paul's basic self-centeredness as she truly believes in him. Meaney turns in a competent turn as a gruff rugby- playing patriarch with a heart of gold. Oh -- and there's the music as well, which is always worth listening to.

This is a touching story with moments of sadness, joy and humor. As far as I can tell it is based pretty closely on the true life of Paul Potts. I liked the realism portrayed in the characters and the situations; for once Hollywood restrained itself. For classical music lovers, the music is a treat. Until the end--after an incredible soundtrack of great pieces written by the masters and performed by true artists, we are treated to an over- credits song by... Taylor Swift. WHAT??? NOOOOOO!!! WHY??? Who on earth made the choice to include that--performer--in this? Nothing worse than having your ears and senses assaulted with garbage after first being primed by some of the best music ever written. That's like having a lunch of fine French cuisine and then being presented with a Twinkie for dessert. Thanks a lot, whatever idiot included that favorite of teenyboppers everywhere in this otherwise-fine film.

Since the film is based on a true story, you already know what the outcome will be from the starting point, so it leaves room for very little surprises. Nevertheless, the film is a wonderful feel-good movie. James Corden is perfectly cast as Paul Potts. The love story is beautiful and the characters are very likable. A delightful comedy, actually.