POWER BALLAD
Starring: Paul Rudd, Nick Jonas, Peter McDonald, Marcella Plunket, Beth Fallon, Havana Rose Liu, Jack Reynor, Rory Keenan, Paul Reid, and Keith McErlean
Director: John Carney
NICK
When it comes to feel-good filmmaking, director John Carney rarely disappoints. His latest, Power Ballad, forgoes a central focus on romance for themes of ambition and gratitude. Paul Rudd and Nick Jonas fit wonderfully in their respective roles and showcase great chemistry when they come together, though the film's format keeps those instances limited. Meanwhile, Carney once again finds a way to bring a coziness to his film, in this case by setting things in Ireland, which helps maintain Power Ballad's indie feel and charm. It’s another winner for Carney. Plus, “How to Write a Song Without You” is an instant earworm.
AMARÚ
Power Ballad is a solid film with the weirdest tonal mix for this kind of dramatic comedy. Films like this usually have one clear person to root for, but nearly everyone, aside from writer/co-star Peter McDonald’s hilarious Sandy, is a dick at some point. This simultaneously makes each character feel layered yet also slightly hard to support. Even Rick’s (Paul Rudd) wife and daughter are low-key assholes about his plight. But this complicated dynamic successfully mirrors the frustrating nature of making it in the music industry, ultimately giving each character empathetic depth. It must’ve worked since I choked up a bit by the end.
ADRIANO
Of writer/director John Carney’s explorations of the way music connects to people, Power Ballad is my least favourite, but I still liked it quite a bit. The character work does not always reach the emotional heights it aims for, especially with Nick Jonas’ Danny Wilson, but the Carney that knows how to pull on both heartstrings and guitar strings is still here. The emotional highs and endearing love of people, warts and all, are effective. Just because it’s not as strong as it’s been in the past doesn’t make Power Ballad any less endearing.
