One Chance (2014)

*** out of ****

I admit it – I'm a bit of a sucker for a feel good story. Way back when “Britain's Got Talent” was new and interesting, a dumpy, tubby cell-phone salesman from Wales named Paul Potts walked out on the stage to the rolled eyes of the judges and barely the concealed contempt of the audience. But when he opened his mouth he knocked everyone on their backs with a lovely version of Nessun Dorma from Puccini's "Turandot". It was easily the most “feel good” moment of the contest and Potts went on to win the show. Since then he has released several best selling “pop opera” albums.

Now I am no fan of opera, though I knew enough about it to know that Pavarotti he ain't (just compare his Nessun Dorma to Luciano's). But it was a nice story. Paul released his memoir but I never noticed it – everyone releases memoir these days and in the vast majority of cases they tell a story nobody should really care about. But when Simon Cowell decided to produce a biopic of the autobiography, I took a little notice – Cowell isn't known for wasting his time on less-than-worthwhile pursuits. So I got a copy of the film – and I'm glad I did.

Turns out that Potts actually lived the life that many of us fear we're only a step away from when we were growing up. He wasn't a good looking kid, his father was scornful about his less-than-manly interests, and he was beaten over and over again by local bullies. Worst fears realized. The poor guy barely had a chance.  Hell, even his name is nearly identical to a much maligned Cambodian dictator....

But he could sing. He never took advantage of it because he was mocked mercilessly for his interest in opera, but it was always there. Through an internet chatroom Paul (played by James Cordon) met his soulmate Julz (Alexandra Roach), who encouraged him to pursue his dreams no matter where they took him. Eventually they would take him to an opera training school owned by Pavarotti in Venice. There he learns his craft but abandoned it following a poor performance in front of “the master”. Setbacks continued – a burst appendix, followed by node removal in his throat, followed by being hit by a car on his bike..... this guy literally never caught a break.

All this leads to his “One Chance” on BGT, where he finally delivers the performance he was capable of, and which led to international stardom. All very “Hollywood-ending”, but made much more interesting because it was all true.

“One Chance” doesn't intend to be a great movie – it just wants to tell a story and make the audience feel good. Given those modest goals, the film achieves everything that it attempts to. Cordon and Roach are enjoyable in the lead roles, and Colm Meany lives up to his surname as Paul's dad. Interestingly, I thought the music and performances were the weakest part of the film (as Cordon isn't actually a singer, and never looks comfortable lip-synching to Potts voice), but it doesn't detract from the enjoyment.

If you're looking for deep and meaningful, this isn't your film. But if you saw Potts' performance on TV, and you thought his shaking-nervousness was intriguing, you'll be happy to know that his overall story is much the same. If you think you can swallow something that sweet, you'll enjoy “One Chance”. Very nicely done.