My friend Aj and I went to see this movie at the Odeon today as it had been recommended by my Mum-in-law as a feel-good film.
IMDB says it is: 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".
James Corden (The Wrong Mans, Dr Who) stars as Potts, Julie Walters (Billy Elliot, Mamma Mia!) is his Mum, Colm Meaney (Con Air, The Damned United) his Dad and the brilliant Mackenzie Crook (Pirates of the Caribbean, Finding Neverland) plays his best friend and employer Braddon.
The film starts by cataloguing the history of bullying in his childhood, showing us why Potts has a lack of confidence and has us rooting for him trying to follow his dream of becoming an opera singer like his hero Pavarotti. When Braddon intervenes, Paul finally meets his 'girlfriend' who he has been texting (and who he has told that he looks like Brad Pitt) but worrying that even though she says she looks like Cameron Diaz, she may be a bloke. Alexandra Roach (Anna Karenina, The Iron Lady) plays Julz, the girlfriend who 'is a woman' and she suggests he enter the talent contest in order to get enough money together to go to Venice to pursue his dream.
Potts is loving Venice, but struggling to make friends and fit in. Then he is given a chance to sing for his idol Pavarotti and his nerves let him down. Giving up on his dream, he returns to Wales to live an ordinary life. He has to work hard to win back Julz and Braddon helps him get the Manager's job at Carphone Warehouse, but when the chance to sing again comes along in the form of the "Britain's Got Talent" TV show, Julz is the catalyst to ensure that he is given his one chance.
For those of you, like me, that like to play the spot the actor/actress game, don't miss the small appearance by 2 Pints of Lager and a Packet of Crisps actress Kathryn Drysdale (St. Trinian's, Vanity Fair) and Reggie Yates (Dr Who, Demons Never Die) as Production Assistants on the "Britain's Got Talent" scene.
My Mum-in-law was right, this is a heartwarming film, but it has quite a few flaws. For example, for me, the dubbing when Corden sings is too obvious and detracts as well as distracts, the comedy moments were too few and if Corden was attempting a Welsh accent, I couldn't detect it. That being said, I did enjoy the movie, I just didn't laugh as much as I thought I would.
Tagline: The incredible true story of an underdog who never gave up. 6/10
#OneChance #PaulPotts #JamesCorden
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