‘Power Ballad’ Review – This Paul Rudd & Nick Jonas Comedy Strikes An Emotional Chord

One thing that is very clear when one looks at director John Carney’s body of work is that he is a believer in music’s ability to transform and connect disparate and troubled souls. In this latest film, Power Ballad, he masterfully threads the messages of hope, rebirth, and second chances into a musical comedy centered around a stolen song.

Rick (Paul Rudd) is a wedding singer who gave up his dreams of rock stardom when his wife, Rachel (Marcella Plunkett), became pregnant with their daughter, Aja (Beth Fallon). When Rick and his band, The Bride and Groove, are invited to perform at a lavish castle wedding, he connects with former boyband singer, Danny (Nick Jonas). After Danny joins Rick on stage, the two drunkenly connect over their shared love of music and have an impromptu jam session that culminates in Rick revealing his musical magnum opus, a song he’s been trying to complete since his teenage daughter was two years old. Months later, much to Rick’s chagrin and horror, he discovers that Danny has turned the song into a major hit. After spiraling over the theft of a song so close to his heart, Rick leaves Ireland and sets out on a journey to Los Angeles to claim his share of the credit.

Power Ballad is an entertaining and deeply emotional film about the power of music to transform lives for both better and worse. What could have been a silly, throwaway comedy in the hands of a lesser filmmaker is transformed by director John Carney into a thoughtful character study that excavates the interior lives of its two leads with empathy and care.

Although Nick Jonas’s character, Danny, is the de facto villain of the story, the script goes to great lengths to explore his reasoning and motivations over the course of the story. He was once a member of a wildly popular boy band, and while his bandmates have all gone on to enjoy successful careers, he has been left behind waiting for his shot as a solo artist. Once he’s confronted by Rick, he struggles between wanting to do the right thing and desperately wanting to hold on to the meteoric success he has finally achieved. Success that he truly believes he deserves. Jonas’s portrayal is emotional, reflective, and slightly tragic as his character metaphorically loses his soul and morals in the name of success.

Rudd’s portrayal of Rick is just as emotional and layered. When his wife got pregnant, Rick decided to stay in Dublin to dedicate his life to his family. Although he loves his wife and family, there’s a longing to be recognized for his talents. It’s a theme that will resonate with many whose dreams have been deferred for one reason or another. The quest to get credit for his song ultimately becomes a cathartic journey that affirms that he is a talented musician and songwriter. There’s a beautiful moment during the finale of the film in which Rick proudly sings the song that, as far as the world knows, belongs to Danny. He makes peace with it and is also proud that the song is something he created.

While the way the film ends will frustrate some viewers, it’s fitting based on the peace Rick finds by the end of the film. That being said, there’s a quick and hopeful hint towards a resolution that is appreciated.

Power Ballad will strike an emotional chord with audiences. What could have been a silly, throwaway comedy in the hands of a lesser filmmaker is transformed by director John Carney into a thoughtful character study that excavates the interior lives of its two leads with empathy and care.

Power Ballad is now playing exclusively in theaters courtesy of Lionsgate.