One Chance - Once in a Lifetime

If someone had told him just a few years ago that his passion for opera would one day bring him a world career, Paul (James Corden) would probably not have really believed it. After all, constant teasing from his father Roland (Colm Meaney) and tangible humiliation from his classmates have caused his self-confidence to dwindle to a minimum over the years. But when the shy cell phone salesman meets the enchanting Julz (Alexandra Roach) and she actually seems interested in him, Paul finally finds the courage to follow his very big dream. He wants to sing opera himself and perform in front of the great Pavarotti. But after a first feeling of success, numerous defeats follow, which destroy this dream more and more. And so it soon looks like Paul will always remain a simple mobile phone salesman, despite his talent. But sometimes life writes unexpected success stories.

One Chance - Once in a Lifetime tells the prequel to the legendary appearance of Paul Potts on the British version of Supertalent, which also gave millions goose bumps in Germany through the Deutsche Telekom commercial. Director David Frankel (The Devil Wears Prada) has not conjured up a typical biopic from the book One Chance - How the Dream of My Life Came True. Rather, his film is a heartwarming love story and a comedy bubbling over with joie de vivre, with a slight dramatic twist. It has become a film where you can laugh a lot, but where there are also some very touching goosebumps moments.

It is particularly pleasant that lead actor James Corden makes Paul Potts neither a joke figure, nor an overstylized, unapproachable superstar. Rather, he imbues the singer with a deeply warm humanity that makes him extremely likable and easily accessible to viewers. Together with Alexandra Roach, he forms one of the most likable on-screen couples in recent memory. Sure, the characters are a little overdrawn, some moments a little too clichéd, and there's too much pathos here and there. But that doesn't take away from the fact that Frankel has directed a first-rate feel-good movie that offers its viewers nearly two hours of perfect reality escape.

The only real criticism that can be leveled here is the fact that it's already very apparent that James Corden is just moving his mouth to the vocal parts recorded by Potts and not actually singing himself. Because of this, especially the scenes that take place in Italy seem very posed, which makes them lose a bit of their magic. However, this doesn't change the very positive overall impression of the film. One Chance - Once in a Lifetime is perhaps no masterpiece, no cinematic revelation and definitely nothing you haven't seen many times before. But when old familiar things are presented in such a charming, life-affirming and heart-warming way, as is the case here, it's hard to be bothered by the lack of originality. Because the smiles and goosebumps you take away from the cinema are what count in the end. And that's why for all lovers of small, charming romantic comedies as well as for fans of Paul Potts: Absolutely worth seeing!

An article by Frankfurt-Tipp