One Chance

Name: One Chance
Genre: Biography, Drama, Comedy, Music
Released: October 10, 2014
Duration: 103 min
Rating: 52
Cast: Alexandra Roach, Colm Meaney, James Corden, Julie Walters, Mackenzie Crook

2014

METASCORE

Mixed or average reviews based on 18 Critic Reviews

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USER SCORE

Generally favorable reviews based on 11 Ratings

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7.5

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7.5	User Score Generally favorable reviews based on 11 Ratings

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Movie Details & Credits

Weinstein Company, The | Release Date: October 10, 2014 | PG-13

Starring: Alexandra Roach, Colm Meaney, James Corden, Julie Walters, Mackenzie Crook

Summary: The true story of Paul Potts, a shy, bullied shop assistant by day and an amateur opera singer by night who became a phenomenon after being chosen for—and ultimately winning—Britain's Got Talent.

Director: David Frankel

Genre(s): Biography, Drama, Comedy, Music

Rating: PG-13

Runtime: 103 min

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Critic Reviews

RogerEbert.com Christy Lemire

Oct 10, 2014

You’d have to be totally cynical, with a heart of stone and ice water in your veins, not to be even the slightest bit charmed by One Chance. Read full review

Annlee Ellingson

Dec 6, 2013

Director David Frankel has crafted a sweet, funny, heartfelt film, and while we may know all along how it all turns out, Paul's signature performance still gives us chills. Read full review

R. Kurt Osenlund

Oct 10, 2014

David Frankel crams his story with predictable developments, yet he matches his subject in spirit, pushing something into the spotlight that, however unlikely, elicits irresistible glee. Read full review

Chris Packham

Oct 7, 2014

The film shoehorns Potts's life story into a familiar underdog template, populating the world with near-mythological threshold guardians who exist to assure the hero that he isn't good enough. Read full review

Ben Kenigsberg

Oct 9, 2014

The appealing Mr. Corden manages the not insignificant task of maintaining interest in a story whose climax has already been passed around on YouTube. Read full review

David Ehrlich

Oct 8, 2014

Blandly directed by "The Devil Wears Prada"-helmed David Frankel, One Chance lacks the middlebrow polish that has made his films such reliably re-watchable cable-TV fodder. Read full review

The Telegraph Tim Robey

Oct 17, 2013

For all the solid efforts of the cast, it’s still one of those biopics with a totally canned story arc and as many head-slapping moments as intentional laughs. Read full review

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User Reviews

Kai82

Dec 23, 2022

A charming movie based on the opera singer Paul Potts. Normally I don't watch movies like this but the great performance by James Corden, the engaging underdog against all odds story and soundtrack won me over. Paul Potts success was a phenomenon back then. He came not from a rich family andA charming movie based on the opera singer Paul Potts. Normally I don't watch movies like this but the great performance by James Corden, the engaging underdog against all odds story and soundtrack won me over. Paul Potts success was a phenomenon back then. He came not from a rich family and while talented struggled a lot until he won the casting show “Britain got talent” with opera music. Quite remarkable. Like I said the movie is an underdog story and claims to be biographical. This I cant judge as I lack the knowledge about Paul Potts. For itself the story is immersive and engaging. I was entertained from start to finish. The well chosen actors add also a lot. James Corden is incredibly good. He fully delivers the full scope of emotions. I am a Colm Meaney fan as he is also a great actor and this movie is no exception. Alexandra Roach and Julie Crock are also noteworthy good. I want to praise the side actor which name I could not find that plays Pavarotti. In total a really good cast that enhances the story of the movie. Both enhance the other here which is always a hallmark of good movies. Now to the soundtrack performed by Paul Potts himself. I barley if ever go to the opera or listen to opera music. But the soundtrack won me fully over and I would have never expected that. It is another strength of the movie. I have no negatives but say others can dislike the use of a lot of tropes and stereotypes. However if its done like this I cant complain. Overall this was a surprisingly great movie. I give a 10/10 because it won me over with things I don't value highly like biographical movies or opera music.… Expand

0 of 1 users found this helpful01

alejandro970

Feb 19, 2021

Based on a true story. The story of Paul Potts, a shy, ordinary man born to sing and how he managed to do so while avoiding difficulties, failure and accidents that almost cost his life. In a tone identical to The full Monty and Billy Elliot, it offers nothing new but that does not take awayBased on a true story. The story of Paul Potts, a shy, ordinary man born to sing and how he managed to do so while avoiding difficulties, failure and accidents that almost cost his life. In a tone identical to The full Monty and Billy Elliot, it offers nothing new but that does not take away the emotionality.… Expand

0 of 0 users found this helpful00

foxgrove

Dec 25, 2013

Paul Potts' rise from Joe ordinary to become the winner of the talent show Britain's got talent is a well documented true fairy tale success story that makes for a pleasantly entertaining little film with a big heart. Respected comedian James Cordon, lip syncing wonderfully (I trust that'sPaul Potts' rise from Joe ordinary to become the winner of the talent show Britain's got talent is a well documented true fairy tale success story that makes for a pleasantly entertaining little film with a big heart. Respected comedian James Cordon, lip syncing wonderfully (I trust that's what he's doing?), is endearing as Potts, but for my money the film is all but stolen by Alexandra Roach playing his wife. She provides the film with its core emotion and really is terrific. The film's screenplay is by turns funny and sad and you really would have to have a heart of stone no to be moved by it. Wonderful use is made of real locations in Venice and Wales with the Venetian city looking as beautiful as always. So,disengage brain. Leave your critical faculties at the door and just let this well crafted Cinderella story wash over you.… Expand

1 of 1 users found this helpful10

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