Directed by John Carney — Written by John Carney and Peter McDonald — Starring Paul Rudd, Nick Jonas, Peter McDonald and Jack Reynor
Two musicians spend a night writing a song together, setting off a chain of events that changes their lives in very different ways.
John Carney, the filmmaker behind Once and Sing Street, returns with another music-driven dramedy, and Power Ballad is a real treat. It’s charming, warm, and has a few things to say about ambition, success, and what it means to be taken seriously as an artist. It also subverts expectations.
Paul Rudd plays Rick, an aging musician who has settled into a comfortable life playing weddings but still carries around the dream of having a successful music career. Nick Jonas plays Danny, a former boy-band star who is trying to find his way back to the spotlight.
They’re both chasing something, but they’re coming at it from very different places. Rick is still wondering what might have happened if he’d pursued the music career he once dreamed of, while Danny wants to prove he’s more than a former pop star.
A song they write together ends up changing both their lives, giving each of them something they’ve been looking for, but not quite in the way they imagined.
Rudd is a lot of fun here. He’s usually playing a broader kind of comedy, but this gives him room to show a little more vulnerability and frustration alongside his usual humor.
Jonas is solid, too, bringing some depth and color to a character who could easily have become one-dimensional.
And I have to mention Peter McDonald as Sandy, Rick’s loyal friend. He’s terrific comic relief and brightens up every scene he’s in.
The music is a big part of the movie, and that’s not always easy to pull off. When you’re dealing with fictional musicians and original songs, you need the music to feel authentic. Thankfully, Power Ballad gives us a couple of songs that are believable as potential pop hits.
Power Ballad isn’t trying to be a profound examination of the music business or the nature of fame, but it has some interesting things to say about both.
Between the performances, the music, and a story that manages to take a few unexpected turns, Power Ballad makes for a thoroughly enjoyable experience.
Verdict: Excellent