The Movie- One Chance -A Review

Another heart-warming movie, worthy of my time and highly recommended- Streaming in Amazon Prime Video for Free

One Chance Directed by David Frankel

True story of a talented singer who yearns to sing opera and is encouraged in his dreams by a caring, creative, and enthusiastic wife. 

Film Review by Frederic and Mary Ann Brussat

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As a fat youngster growing up in Wales, Paul Potts (James Corden) loves singing in the choir but his secret passion is opera. As a working-class teenager (Christopher Bull as young Paul), he is constantly bullied by a gang of boys. His life is an "endless drama full of music and violence and romance and comedy." While is adoring mother Yvonne (Julie Walters) encourages her son's vocal talent, his father Roland (Colm Meaney) thinks that the boy should give up his fairy tale dreams of becoming an opera singer and join him working at the steel mill.

Paul's best friend Braddon (Mackenzie Crook) gives him a job at his mobile phone shop. When he learns that his shy buddy has been corresponding online with Julie-Ann (Alexandera Roach) for a year, he convinces him to ask her to come for a visit. She is a bright-eyed and enthusiastic young woman who is very patient with Paul's social awkwardness. At lunch, she easily wins his parents' approval. Before parting, Julie-Ann gives him the moral support he needs to apply for a master class in opera in Venice. The goal is to audition for Luciano Pavarotti. But things do not pan out as Paul had hoped.

This crowd-pleaser is directed by David Frankel who has a knack for films which emotionally connect with audiences such as The Devil Wears Prada and Marley & Me. The screenplay by Justin Zackham (The Bucket List) is based on the true story of Paul Potts whose tenor performance on the TV show Britain's Got Talent in 2007 has gathered 115 million YouTube views; he went on to win the contest.

It is easy for us to root for Paul given his nightmarish school days, the repeated humiliations by his controlling father, and the large number of health issues and accidents he endures. We join him in hoping that the day will come when he fulfills his dream as a well-respected opera singer.

The real miracle in One Chance is the light and life that Julie-Ann brings to their marriage. Alexandra Roach gives a flawless performance as a sensitive, caring, and creative wife whose big heart is a perfect match for Paul's pure heart!

Yes, the 2013 movie 

One Chance is based on the inspirational true story of British opera singer Paul Potts. It details his rise to fame, from working as a mobile phone salesman to winning the first series of Britain's Got Talent in 2007. 

Meanwhile, More about Paul Potts

Early life and background

• Childhood: Born in Bristol in 1970, Potts was a shy and often-bullied child. Singing in church choirs was a solace for him during these difficult years.
• Early career: He worked various jobs, including in supermarkets, and served as a Bristol city councilor as a Liberal Democrat from 1996 to 2003.
• Amateur opera: Before his television fame, Potts performed in amateur opera productions, including leading roles in operas like Don Carlos and Aida. He also paid for opera masterclasses in Italy, where he once sang for Luciano Pavarotti.
• Health issues and financial struggles: A series of health problems, including a burst appendix and a benign adrenal tumor, along with financial difficulties, caused him to give up his amateur singing career in 2003. He was working as a manager at a Carphone Warehouse mobile phone store when he decided to audition for a new talent show. 

Fame on Britain's Got Talent

• Audition: In March 2007, Potts auditioned for the first season of Britain's Got Talent in Cardiff. He stunned the judges—including a skeptical Simon Cowell—and the audience with his powerful and moving rendition of "Nessun dorma". The video of this performance became a viral YouTube sensation.
• Win: He went on to win the competition, earning £100,000 and a contract to perform for Queen Elizabeth II at the Royal Variety Performance. 

Post-Britain's Got Talent career

• Debut album: His first album, also titled One Chance, was released in 2007 and quickly reached number one in the UK charts. It sold millions of copies worldwide and was certified platinum in several countries.
• Continuing success: Despite initial skepticism about his longevity in the music industry, Potts has continued to tour internationally and has released multiple albums. He insists he is singing better than ever before.
• Further television appearances: He has appeared in several other talent shows, including America's Got Talent: The Champions in 2019, and the German version of The Masked Singer in 2022.
• Net worth: As of 2025, his net worth is estimated to be around £8 million, though he has remained in his modest Welsh home. 

Meanwhile,

#ShowBuzz : Latin-pop superstar Enrique Iglesias shared a throwback photo of himself with his mother, writing on Instagram: "Congratulations to my mom on her autobiography. What an incredible life." The post spotlights Isabel Preysler, the Spanish-Filipino socialite and television host celebrated for her elegance and global influence.

Born in Manila, Preysler grew up in a prominent family—her father, Carlos Preysler y Pérez de Tagle, was executive director of Philippine Airlines and a board member of Banco Español de Manila, while her mother, María Beatriz Arrastía y Reinares, ran a real estate company. She attended Assumption College before carving her path as a style icon and independent public figure.

Regarding her autobiography, Preysler writes on Instagram: "Dear friends: I am very excited to share with you my most personal project. On October 22nd my autobiography, My True Story, from #espasaeditorial. will arrive in bookstores. In these pages I travel through the different chapters of my life, from my childhood in the Philippines to almost today, and I share, for the first time, some of my most intimate memories. Hope you like it."

A Preview of Our Special Filipino Dinner Tomorrow Night - The Milk Fish

I had a special preview ( tasting) of one of the Dishes that will be served at our Special Filipino Dinner tomorrow WED, Oct 7 celebrating Filipino-American History Month. A few weeks ago, Joel asked me what fish dish I may suggest for the special Filipino dinner he has been planning for weeks. Without hesitation, I told him 💚Bangus or milk fish, unofficially the national Fish of the Philippines. I suggested, he purchase the deboned and all ready-marinated fish, so the kitchen can just fry it and served hot. He did and I tasted it tonight. 

It was exactly the taste that reminded me of my younger years in the Philippines. Thank Joel and THD for making my stay here at THD, the happiest years at the last stage of my life here in Planet Earth. The photo above is my dinner tonight. I did not need any lemon, since the fish is well marinated with vinegar and a little garlic. For Preparation of the Fish see bottom of this page. 

To residents who may not like the Fish, other Filipino Dishes, Chicken Adobo,  Giniling ( ground beef with vegetables) and Filipino mixed vegetables ( eggplant, okra etc..) is available. Joel said the dessert is leche flan ( filipino custard) and puto ( rice cake). I believe there is lumpia for appetizer and a side dish.    

 

The following is more information about the Deboned and Marinated Milk Fish.    

Contrary to popular belief, bangus (milkfish) is not the official national fish of the Philippines. While it is widely celebrated as a cultural and culinary staple, there is no Philippine law that officially declares it or any other fish as a national symbol.

The Difference Between Cultural Tradition and Law

• The Popular Myth: Because bangus is deeply woven into the country's aquaculture industry, economy, and everyday meals (like sinigang or daing na bangus), schools and textbooks have long referred to it as the "national fish".
• The Legal Reality: The National Commission for Culture and the Arts (NCCA) has clarified that its status is completely unofficial. 

What Are the Official National Symbols?

According to Philippine heraldic laws, only a select few icons are legally recognized national symbols. These include: 

• Narra (National Tree)
• Sampaguita (National Flower)
• Philippine Eagle (National Bird)
• South Sea Pearl (National Gem)
• Arnis (National Martial Art and Sport) 

Even other popular cultural symbols like the carabao (water buffalo), mango, and ** Rizal** (as the singular national hero) share the same status as bangus-they are beloved cultural icons, but lack official legal proclamations. 

Meanwhile, here's the Preparation for the Fish

💚Marinated deboned bangus, commonly known as Filipino daing na bangus, is a savory butterflied milkfish soaked in a mixture of vinegar, crushed garlic, salt, and peppercorns before being pan-fried until crispy.

Ingredients and Preparation

Milkfish (Bangus): One whole medium-to-large bangus, scaled, gutted, and butterflied with the backbone and small bones removed.
Marinade: ½ to 1 cup of cane or white vinegar, 5 to 6 cloves of crushed or minced garlic, 1 teaspoon of cracked black peppercorns, and 1 teaspoon of salt.
Process: Coat the fish in the marinade and refrigerate it for at least 4 hours or overnight so the flavors soak into the meat. 

How to Cook

Drain: Remove the fish from the liquid and pat it dry with paper towels to prevent excess splattering.
Fry: Heat cooking oil in a skillet over medium heat. Place the fish skin-side down first and fry for 4 to 7 minutes until golden brown and crispy, then flip and cook the other side.
Serve: Enjoy hot with garlic fried rice (sinangag), a fried egg (bangsilog), and a side of spiced vinegar for dipping
Finally My Photos of the Day- The Flowering Calamansi Tree in My Patio: 





The calamansi fruit is an excellent substitute for lemons, as a souring agent.
Personal Note: When I was a teenager in Barotac Viejo, Iloilo my parents owned a small fish pond (not commercial ) raising bangus. We harvest from about 100 to 200 bangus per year for our personal consumption. We preserved most of it by drying in the sun ( bislad), as well as marinating it in vinegar and spices.   During this Harvest Season, we will bangus every day for almost a month.