WHO’S IN IT?
James Corden (Gavin & Stacey), Alexandra Roach (The Iron Lady), Mackenzie Crook (Pirates of the Caribbean), Julie Walters (Billy Elliott), Colm Meaney (Alan Partridge: Alpha Papa), Jemima Rooper (The Black Dahlia), Kathryn Drysdale (St. Trinian’s)
WHO’S BEHIND THE CAMERA?
David Frankel (The Devil Wears Prada), director; Justin Zackham (The Bucket List), writer; Simon Cowell (The X Factor), Michael Menchel (Ain’t Them Bodies Saints), Kris Thykier (Kick-Ass), Harvey Weinstein (Nine) and Brad Weston (Footloose), producers; Theodore Shapiro (Tropic Thunder), composer; Florian Ballhaus (Marley & Me), cinematographer; Wendy Green Bricmont (Mean Girls), editor
WHAT’S IT ABOUT?
The film follows the humble origins of Paul Potts (Corden), a shy and bullied shop assistant who moonlights as an amateur opera singer, to the mixed reactions of his parents (Walters and Meaney). He eventually finds an entry form for Britain’s Got Talent, a show which he is destined to win…
WHY SHOULD YOU BE EXCITED?
Simon Cowell has already conquered both the music scene and the TV waves, with shows like The X Factor and in particular Britain’s Got Talent still remaining unexplainably, inexplicably popular. With this year’s earlier concert documentary on One Direction, it’s clear that his eyes are now set on conquering the big screen. What’s more, he has an inspirational true story which he can easily dramatize and sell to the movie-going public.
That would be One Chance, the story of the very first Britain’s Got Talent winner Paul Potts. As the film shows through its romanticised but interesting storyline, Potts began out as a mere shop assistant by day and amateur opera singer by night. He found out about Cowell’s talent show, set to debut in 2007, and the rest is history. Of course, we all know the end to this story but like with a lot of films based on widely-known fact, it’s the journey in between that really sticks with us when the film closes.
Taking us on that journey is the lead performance of James Corden, who has his own minor success story to boast. Beginning his acting career with small outcomes, save a role in Alan Bennett’s stage play The History Boys and its subsequent film adaptation, Corden hit it big time with Gavin & Stacey, a sitcom which he co-created, co-wrote and starred as lovable plumber Smithy. From there spun a wide variety of opportunities, from hosting the BRIT Awards, to a popular appearance on Doctor Who, to winning critical acclaim and a Tony Award for stage show One Man, Two Guvnors, and eventually to a lead role in the forthcoming musical adaptation of Into The Woods alongside Johnny Depp and Meryl Streep.
With all that in mind, Corden’s casting as Potts makes a bizarre amount of sense. As always, he brings his charm and likability to the role as we root for him despite the known outcome. Offering supporting roles are Alexandra Roach, Julie Walters, Colm Meaney and Mackenzie Crook, all of whom appear to do well in encouraging Corden’s Potts (sounds like a kitchenware show) to achieve his impossible dream.
Then again, they may just be unfortunate pawns in Cowell’s further plans for world domination but all hopes lie in the hope that they have at least made One Chance an entertaining film for everyone to like. After all, if there’s anything director David Frankel knows after doings films like Marley and Me, it’s how to make a movie suitable for all.
Okay Cowell, we’ll buy into this new cinema venture of yours – just PLEASE hold back on a Jedward biopic!
