Based on true life. Specifically the life of Paul Potts, the first-ever winner of the talent show Britain's Got Talent. A mobile phone salesman by profession and an opera singer by hobby, he managed to struggle through life's hardships to woo an entire generation of TV watchers. It's good stuff, though I'm not sure it's enough for a whole feature film.The film has changed a few details, for example the profession of Paul's dad from a bus driver to a factory worker and the fact that in real life Paul had siblings, but I feel that those can be justified as it makes the story more streamlined and coherent. Perhaps the factory worker storyline is a bit heavy handed, theme-wise, but then the whole movie isn't exactly subtle. And I do appreciate the story. It's told very fairytale-ish, with clear underdogs, clear eventual winners, with good and honest people eventually getting their just reward, love triumphing and all that.And yet it all revolves around a real-life talent show. Something we've all watched every now and then. And as I was watching this movie, I couldn't help constantly wondering about just how much of this movie was a publicity stunt. Apparently most of it is at least based on true events. Which is something. But almost every life can be turned into wonderment if you run it through Disney Princess Magic filter. And that's what this feels like. It feels like pandering, it feels false.If you're honestly really into Britain's Got Talent, and Paul Potts specifically, you'll probably enjoy this film just fine. For the rest of you, bring toothpaste.

To be fair to the film, they got the Pol Pot jokes out of the way early on in the movie. The rest of the film is a wannabe, quirky, humorous, rags to riches feel good film with every cliché thrown at it.Personally I think James Corden is a decent enough actor and he has proved that on stage several times such as The History Boys. However he has his detractors who cannot get over his comedy roles or just because he is fat or laddish in behaviour.Based loosely true events Corden plays Paul Potts a mobile phone salesman who has always loved opera. He has been bullied since he was young, shy, gawky, overweight and always seems to be down on his luck and could never get that big break. Even his father seems to be embarrassed by him.In reality Paul Potts was an elected Lib Dem councillor for several years, his siblings have been ignored in the film and he sang in several Opera productions on his way to the big time.We see Potts save money to go to an opera school in Venice, he auditions in front of Pavarotti but gets too nervous. He falls in love with a girl he met through the internet but every time something good happens bad luck gets in his way such as a burst appendix or a bike accident. That is until he wins Britain's got Talent.Its a film that is aimed at the audience who enjoyed his performance in the talent show, voted for him and purchased his album. I have no idea how good of an opera singer he really is. These days the Classical charts are full of what I term Karaoke opera singers who sing snippets of popular opera tunes, you know the bits even philistines like me would recognise such as 'Just one Cornetto' or is it 'O sole mio?'The film produced by Simon Cowell's production company with product placement by Carphone Warehouse is heavily manipulative and contrived just like some of Cowell's shows.I found the film to be tedious, unoriginal and unfunny. The cast do their best with a poor script, Corden is charming enough more to with his skills as an actor than the actual cookie cutter screenplay itself.

This is a solid, but not outstanding, story of an ordinary man's journey to fame. I didn't see it in the cinema because the trailer revealed the entire plot and made it seem like another of those cheesy movies about kind hearted Northern folk triumphing over adversity. One Chance even has Julie Walters, the go-to actor to portray wacky working class characters. I finally saw the film on a plane and found that there was more to it. James Corden, as singer Paul Potts, is a great actor - he can play the Everyman underdog with just the right balance of tentative confidence and vulnerability. The film is about sticking to your dream and rising above the obstacles life throws you. It's interesting how fate can turn on the smallest things, such as friends pushing you to enter that talent competition or suffering health setbacks. And how he realises he has to actively reject working in the foundry and work at his singing. Corden and the script elevate many scenes into works of art, such as the time in Venice when he's rehearsing with his opera singer friend on the streets. And the love scene on his wedding night is genuinely moving. The disastrous audition for Pavarotti is beautifully done. Imagine being told by your idol that you aren't that good. It's another pivotal point where Potts rejects his fate and persists in his goal. Which is quite inspiring. The ending is corny, but hey, it is a musical, and it is what happened in real life. Good on him.

I can't believe this movie only reached a shy 6.2 at the moment I'm writing this.Sure it's not a masterpiece, but it's still a very funny and moving movie.It's simple, pure and a very inspiring true story. Well played from James Corden who just nailed the character of Paul PottsActually everyone in this is actually doing really well. Very nice performance from Alexandra Roach. Also surprised by Mackenzie Crook who is in my opinion a bit disappointing in Almost Human. Here he is very good !Give it a try, you will enjoy this.