About the film (courtesy of Lionsgate):
When Rick (Paul Rudd), a past-his-prime wedding singer, meets fading boy-band star Danny (Nick Jonas) during a gig, the two bond over music and a late-night jam session. But when Danny turns one of Rick’s songs into the hit that reignites his career, Rick sets out to reclaim the recognition he believes he deserves – even if it means risking everything he cares about.
A movie that feels like as much of a passion project as the song that it’s centered around, Power Ballad is an enjoyable and enlightening watch. It covers everything from the dangers of plagiarism (one could easily see this being used in a high school class to demonstrate the damage it can cause) to the idea that songs are often about more than just the words that make them up, they are about the tone, soul, and meaning that bring them to life.
Power Ballad thrives off of its star-powered cast. Paul Rudd plays Nick Power, a wannabe professional singer/songwriter turned family man and jaded singer in an Irish wedding band, who one day while performing at a venue meets Nick Jonas’ character, Danny Wilson. Danny is a boy band member attending his buddy’s wedding who has been having a tough time as a solo artist since leaving the group that originally earned him his wealth and fame.
After Nick’s performance, the two later meet outside and hit things off the way that only two people who are truly meant to meet each other can. They share life stories and bond from dusk till dawn. Over the course of the night, Nick shares one of his most treasured and beloved songs. It is a song that later gets hijacked by the rising star to fuel a rebound like no other, all while its original owner goes uncredited and forgotten.
This then turns into a journey for Nick to prove himself to his bandmates, his wife Marcella (Rachel Plunkett), and his daughter Aja (Beth Fallon), who all doubt that he actually created the song he claims he did. Left without seemingly any actual evidence, Nick and his best friend Sandy (Peter McDonald) venture to LA to confront Danny and his rogue management agency.
Featuring music performed and originally written for the movie, Power Ballad really does hone in on its musical acumen and presents itself well, with catchy covers and the tagline song easily becoming an earworm. The performances by both Rudd and Jonas are exceptional. While it does feel at times like the film leans a bit too heavily on the song, playing it a bit too much back-to-back, it still very much serves its purpose and allows both men to properly flex their individual talents.
One spot Power Ballad seems to really struggle is with its pacing. It feels like certain scenes or arcs drag and can almost be a struggle to get through, while other plot points are handled in blink-and-you-miss-it moments that can be jarring. It also leaves much to be desired when it comes to handling many points not pertaining to the main theme and narrative of the film.
Power Ballad’s hook and main draw is a story about a man just trying to get what’s owed to him. In this regard, the film is relatable, funny, and at times sad to see unfold, which goes to show how much heart it truly has. Writer and director John Carney elegantly melds a story using two mediums, music and film, into something familiar, yet special and pleasant to watch.
Power Ballad opens in theaters nationwide starting Friday, June 5th.
