One Chance (2014)

The Worst Film Ever

Thanks for the memories!

Fanciful, disturbing, and wildly original, it announces the arrival of a fresh, bold voice in American cinema.

what a terribly boring film. I'm sorry but this is absolutely not deserving of best picture and will be forgotten quickly. Entertaining and engaging cinema? No. Nothing performances with flat faces and mistaking silence for subtlety.

Based on true life. Specifically the life of Paul Potts, the first-ever winner of the talent show Britain's Got Talent. A mobile phone salesman by profession and an opera singer by hobby, he managed to struggle through life's hardships to woo an entire generation of TV watchers. It's good stuff, though I'm not sure it's enough for a whole feature film.The film has changed a few details, for example the profession of Paul's dad from a bus driver to a factory worker and the fact that in real life Paul had siblings, but I feel that those can be justified as it makes the story more streamlined and coherent. Perhaps the factory worker storyline is a bit heavy handed, theme-wise, but then the whole movie isn't exactly subtle. And I do appreciate the story. It's told very fairytale-ish, with clear underdogs, clear eventual winners, with good and honest people eventually getting their just reward, love triumphing and all that.And yet it all revolves around a real-life talent show. Something we've all watched every now and then. And as I was watching this movie, I couldn't help constantly wondering about just how much of this movie was a publicity stunt. Apparently most of it is at least based on true events. Which is something. But almost every life can be turned into wonderment if you run it through Disney Princess Magic filter. And that's what this feels like. It feels like pandering, it feels false.If you're honestly really into Britain's Got Talent, and Paul Potts specifically, you'll probably enjoy this film just fine. For the rest of you, bring toothpaste.

I really enjoyed this movie. I loved hearing Paul Potts sing on Britain's Got Talent, brought tears to my eyes. And this movie did the same. I actually sobbed in parts. And yes, the acting is superb, the story great, and you really feel like cheering for Paul (played by James Corden). GREAT MOVIE!!!

When people say they don't make movies like they used to, here's proof that they still do sometimes. "One Chance" has the charm of the old Earling Comedies and maybe even a touch of the magic of Frank Capra.This is the almost true story of Paul Potts (James Corden), a shy young mobile phone salesman with a great voice. He wants nothing more than to be an opera singer. After scraping the money together to attend an opera school in Venice, he blows an audition in front of Pavarotti (Stanley Townsend). Crest fallen, he regains his confidence only to have an accident that damages his throat. However, he comes back again with the help of his girlfriend, Julz (Alexandra Roach), and becomes a sensation when he wins the first "Britain's Got Talent" in 2007.The film actually ends at the audition because it's hard to beat a climax where James Corden as Paul Potts has the judges and the audience gulping back the tears as he lifts to that final sustained note, "Vincero", in "Nessun Dorma"; the operatic equivalent of clearing the bar and setting a new world record in the Olympic pole-vault. It's a stunning scene - as it was in real life.There is so much to like about this movie. Sure, the filmmakers took the crash course in 'Feel Good Movies 101', it's predictable and sentimental with the highs and lows in all the right places, but it works.There are a number of scenes I love: when Paul first meets Julz, his online girlfriend at the station; another when the crowd in the club falls silent as they are stunned by the power of Paul's voice; the scene in Venice when he dines beside the canal with the family of Alessandra (Vileria Bilello), the beautiful Italian opera singer; and finally, the look on Simon Cowell's face when he realises that the hesitant, shy, slightly awkward contestant possesses show-stopping talent, "I wasn't expecting that Paul"."One Chance" has perfect casting for mum and dad (Julie Waters and Colm Meaney), witty lines and some opera that cuts though all the Rap, Death Metal and New Weird we are surrounded by today. To paraphrase Simon Cowell's comment to the real Paul Potts on the night of his "BGT" audition, "This is a complete breath of fresh air".

I think the idea of this movie was to keep the audience in the cinema by firstly completely bemusing them before sending them to sleep in their seats.Directed by David Frankel, 'One Chance' follows the life of a dull, nervous, young boy, Paul (played by James Corden) who likes opera music, to becoming a dull, nervous, young adult, who sings opera music for a living.Firstly the title suggests that Paul only has one chance at something, when in fact he has at least five chances at several things. 1. He has the chance to progress from his choir to study music at a music but he blows this chance and chooses to leave school early and work as a mobile phone shop assistant, as this is obviously less difficult. 2. As a young adult in the word's capital of opera, Venice, he is heavily proposition by a very attractive, talented, educated, enthusiastic, rich young lady, who is also an opera singer, but he blows this chance because he's save a shop assistant girl back home in Port Talbot, the world capital of steel. 3. Also in Venice, he gets the chance to audition in front of his hero Pavarotti, but he blows this great chance by getting stage fright and drying up. 4. Back home he's offered the lead in a major production of Aida by his old music teacher – another big chance, but he falls ill on opening night, and is unable to perform, and looses that chance. 5. Although he was born and raised in Port Talbot, South Wales, and had no choice, when he comes into a lot of money later, he blow the chance of getting out of this depressive steel works town, by buying a house there to live. 6. He also enters a TV talent show. I won't spoil the ending, but just to say, it's another chance! Secondly, is this a film or an extremely long (and boring) advert for The Carphone Warehouse? We must have seen the shop at least 10 times, and had it mentioned at least twice this. The acting is competent from all, but a little caricatured: macho dad; batty mother; bully boy; wacky friend ('I'm positive this character was made up, and put in the film to counter the greyness of everyone else).Thirdly, and this will probably go amiss to non-UK residents, but Paul was born and raised in Port Talbot, Wales, but he has a Bristol, English accent! It's like a man born and raised in New York having a Texas accent. It's a little weird.Finally, and only because the list is almost infinite, light rock-pop dominates the soundtrack, and confusingly conflicts with the operatic theme of the film.So, if you want to spend 103 minutes watching a lot of uncharismatic 'non-steely' people simply 'milling' around all day, in an overly long mobile phone advert (and listen to 'Nessun Dorma' one more time), this is the film for you.