Rick Power (Paul Rudd) gave up his budding rock star career when he met his wife Rachel (Marcella Plunkett) and had their daughter Aja (Beth Fallon). Now he works as a wedding singer. On one particular occasion he meets former boy band turned solo singer Danny Wilson (Nick Jonas) and the two bond during a late night jamming session. Six months later, Rick learns that Danny has turned one of his songs into the hit that saved his career and he didn’t receive any credit for it. Thus ensues a tumultuous journey where Rick will do whatever he can to get the recognition he knows he deserves.
You know sometimes when you see a trailer so many times it starts to grate on your nerves? That is what happened with Power Ballad. I wasn’t even sure I wanted to see it in the first place and then it literally played before every single film I watched between January and now. It truly seemed as if the entire storyline was featured in that two minute commercial and there would be no reason for me to see it for myself. Boy was I wrong.
I should have known this was going to be a hit for me. Director John Carney was the man behind Begin Again which just so happens to be one of my favorite films of all time. I put it on whenever I need cheering up and Lost Stars is such a perfect song. When I realized that this was the same person, I was won over. Despite the unfortunate circumstances that take place in the film, it is overall a heartwarming story that really resonated with me.
Rudd and Jonas were perfect as Rick and Danny. That sequence of them shooting the shit and writing music together was so fun to watch. They had such an easy dynamic going and even though things turned sour between them, you could tell that they each had their reasons and they still had some respect for one another. Another standout from the cast were Rick’s wedding band members. Sandy in particular, portrayed by Peter McDonald, was super as Rick’s best friend. I really liked their ride or die relationship.
The original songs were A+. We all know that Jonas can sing and he more than delivers here. Though Rudd had some help with his vocal work, I was still bopping along whenever he took the mike. How To Write A Song (Without You) has been stuck in my head ever since. I absolutely loved it.
I went into Power Ballad thinking it would be one thing and I came out having experienced something the complete opposite. It was that same feeling I had after watching Begin Again for the first time. Exploring themes of friendship, the price of ambition and self-respect, it is a film that I will be watching again and again for the years to come.
Rating: ♥️♥️♥️♥️.5
Credits Rolling 