One Chance parents guide

One Chance Parent Guide

One boy's big voice changes his life forever

Overall B+

Paul Potts received world recognition after he won Britain's Got Talent. But before that he was a shy, bullied boy with big dreams. This movie follows his life story, with James Corden playing the opera singer wannabe.

Release date October 10, 2014

Violence C+
Sexual Content B-
Profanity C
Substance Use C

Why is One Chance rated PG-13? The MPAA rated One Chance PG-13 for some language and sexual material.

Run Time: 104 minutes

Official Movie Site

Parent Movie Review

Paul Potts (played by James Corden) was born with a big voice, and a body to match. Encouraged by his mother (Julie Walters), he follows his heart and learns to sing opera. Unfortunately, it turns out not everyone appreciates his love of the classic art form. His father (Colm Meaney) finds his passion an embarrassment. His peers tease and bully him (including kicking, punching and beating him with a bike chain). Nevertheless, Paul continues to sing.

However, all the harassment has injured his self-esteem. Working as a salesman for a cell phone company, he is too shy to even introduce himself in person to Julz (Alexandra Roach), a girl he met on-line over a year ago. So his co-worker (Mackenzie Crook) arranges the meeting for him. And it is her faith in him that finally coaxes Paul to begin to pursue his secret desire for a career on the stage.

Yet his budding ambition is continually plucked away by increasingly difficult obstacles. A chance to attend Opera School in Italy only exposes his lack of confidence. Then an opportunity to sing the lead part in a local production of Aida is curtailed by health issues. Finally, he gets a chance to audition for an up-and-coming talent show, but his unused voice has very little time to get back into condition for the performance.

Anyone familiar with the real Paul Potts and his appearance on Britain’s Got Talent will find themselves waiting for the happy ending they know is coming in this based-on-a-true-story movie. Still, the journey is well worth the wait. The screenwriter (Justin Zackham) has created a tender love story between Paul and Julz, and an inspirational tale out of his struggle to achieve his goal.

Although the script does include some profanities, crude sexual language and frequent drinking, there is something powerful about this quiet man’s ability to rise above the violence of his youth and the disappointments of his life. While not everyone is lucky enough to have his or her dreams come true in such a dramatic way, there is still a lot to learn from Paul’s dogged determination. And perhaps his true gift isn’t just a matter of his talent, but also the sustaining power he received from his loved ones. If so, that is something all of us (whether singers or not) can aspire to both give and receive.

Directed by David Frankel . Starring James Corden, Jemima Rooper, Julie Walters . Running time: 104 minutes. Theatrical release October 10, 2014. Updated

One Chance
Rating & Content Info

Why is One Chance rated PG-13? One Chance is rated PG-13 by the MPAA for some language and sexual material.

Violence: On a couple of occasions, a character passes out while performing. A character is repeatedly taken to the hospital for various ailments. Bullies harass a character, as well as hitting, kicking and beating him. A man knocks out his teeth when he runs into a scaffold (some blood is shown). A man is mocked and jeered at by a crowd. A man ignores medical advice and puts his health in danger. A man is injured in a car crash. Characters talk about a fiery factory accident. A man punches another. A character is beaten and robbed. A woman hits a man in the head with a guitar.

Sexual Content: Characters engage in sexual dialogue using innuendo, slang terms, and rude references, as well as crude words for anatomy. Sexual relations are verbally alluded to. Sex is implied between a husband and wife on their wedding night. A man is seen in his underwear on a couple of occasions. A woman is seen in lingerie. Parents talk briefly about the conception of their child. A reference is made to on-line pornography. Characters embracing and kiss.

Language: The script includes a regional term for sex, other crude anatomic terms, some mild and moderate profanities, scatological slang, and terms of deity used as expletives. Name-calling and slurs are heard.

Alcohol / Drug Use: Characters frequently drink alcohol at home, during social occasions and in pubs. A man drinks to excess to drown his sorrows.

Other: Characters are ridiculed and teased because of their weight.

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One Chance Parents' Guide

Watch Paul Pott’s audition for Britain’s Got Talent and his eventual winning performance.

Paul Potts talks with UK’s Telegraph about One Chance, the film based on his life story.

Home Video

The most recent home video release of One Chance movie is August 29, 2014. Here are some details…

One Chance releases to home video on August 29, 2015.

Related home video titles:

The movie Shrek 2 contains a spoof of the popular talent show that launched Paul Potts. In Rudy, another dreamer pursues his desire to play football despite all the odds being against him. Other movies tracing stories of a rise to fame include The Sapphires (an Australia Aboriginal girl group), Walk the Line (Johnny Cash) and Ray (Ray Charles).