
One Chance
6.8
64%
52
6.7
A shy Welsh shop clerk risks humiliation and setbacks to pursue opera, finding a life-changing stage through Britain's Got Talent.
Ember's analysis
- MoodBright
- EnergyEnergetic
- PacingBrisk
- IntensityModerate
- ComplexityEasy to follow
- ViolenceNone
More about the film
Overview
This film follows the remarkable and inspirational true story of Paul Potts, a shy, bullied shop assistant by day and an amateur opera singer by night.
What critics said
Critics broadly found the film predictable and sentimental but agreeable, polished, and effective as a feel-good showcase for James Corden.
What sets it apart
- Paul Potts progresses from a meek shop clerk with limited confidence to a nationally recognized opera singer after his televised audition.
- Paul's opera ambitions develop within an ordinary working life and a modest South Wales community rather than an elite artistic environment.
- The film uses smooth production values, sentimental beats, comic archetypes, and an overtly inspirational payoff.
- Britain's Got Talent is the decisive platform that turns Paul's performance into a widely circulated public phenomenon.
Films like One Chance, and why
- Eddie the Eagleshared feel-good underdog narrative, British setting, music competition, and sentimental crowd-pleasing tone
- The Greatest Showmanshared biographical music drama, working-class ambition, comic warmth, and uplifting performance-centered climax
- Billy Elliotshared British working-class milieu, musical aspiration, comedy drama, and emotionally accessible underdog storytelling
- Bohemian Rhapsodyshared true-story rise to public success, performance focus, polished melodrama, and inspirational tone
Movie Details
- Director
- David Frankel
- Release Date
- 2013-09-09
- Runtime
- 103 min
- Rating
- 6.7 / 10 (329)
Common questions
- What is One Chance about?
- A shy Welsh shop clerk risks humiliation and setbacks to pursue opera, finding a life-changing stage through Britain's Got Talent.
- What is One Chance like to watch?
- Ember's analysis rates the pacing of One Chance as brisk, its intensity as moderate and its storytelling as easy to follow.
- Is One Chance violent?
- No — Ember's analysis finds no violence in One Chance.
- What did critics think of One Chance?
- Critics broadly found the film predictable and sentimental but agreeable, polished, and effective as a feel-good showcase for James Corden.
- Which films are like One Chance?
- Films with a similar feel include Eddie the Eagle, The Greatest Showman, Billy Elliot, and Bohemian Rhapsody.
- How long is One Chance?
- One Chance runs 103 minutes.
- Where can I watch One Chance?
- In United States, One Chance streams on Amazon Prime Video, Free Movies Plus, The Roku Channel, Kanopy, Hoopla, Shout! Factory TV, YouTube Free, Amazon Prime Video Free with Ads, Amazon Prime Video with Ads, Tubi TV, Amazon MX Player.
Cast
- David FrankelDirector
- James CordenPaul Potts
- Alexandra RoachJulz
- Julie WaltersYvonne
- Colm MeaneyRoland Potts
- Jemima RooperHydrangea
- Mackenzie CrookBraddon
- Trystan GravelleMatthew
- Sion Tudor OwenChoirmaster
- Alex MacqueenDr. Thorpe
- Miriam LuciaSignora Fiorentino





















