Irish filmmaker John Carney has directed outlandish comedies and harsh thrillers. But his sweet spot is pleasant dramedies about working musicians. While Power Ballad isn't in the same league as his best work, it's a real crowd-pleaser with some excellent original tunes.
Paul Rudd, as affable as ever, stars as Rick. An American musician living outside Dublin, he had big rock star dreams, but his band never got past "successful enough to tour clubs in Europe." When he met Rachel (Marcella Plunkett) and they had a daughter (Beth Fallon), he pivoted his talents to the world of wedding bands. He seems fairly content, but a chance encounter with a hugely famous pop icon flips his life upside down.
Nick Jonas leans into heel status here, and he fits seamlessly into the role of the former boy band heartthrob. Danny is stuck in production hell on his latest album. He desperately wants to be taken seriously, and not just churn out another album of cookie-cutter love songs. After hitting it off at a wedding where Rick's performing, the two spend the night drinking, smoking, swapping stories, and jamming. At one point, Rick shares a deeply personal track that he hasn't quite been able to crack. Cut to six months later and Danny has used it as the lead single for his new EP, without giving Rick any songwriting credit.
What follows is Rick's Sisyphean attempts to rightfully claim authorship. Legally, he doesn't have much to go on. Every door that gets slammed in his face is a reminder of how he never made it on his own. That leads to increased drinking and conflict with his family and bandmates. At his lowest, with nothing else to lose, Rick and his best friend Sandy (Peter McDonald) fly to L.A. to confront Danny. This whole section of the movie strains credulity, but it leads to some honest emotions and terrific acting from both leads.
Carney still has trouble writing for female characters, and none of them (including the luminous Havana Rose Liu as Danny's girlfriend) are given much to do. But he still has an uncanny ability to make audiences cheer and write a killer hook. And the big number – played throughout the film – deserves Oscar consideration.
Power Ballad may not hit No. 1 in my heart the way Once and Sing Street did. But it's still a solid effort that leaves viewers on a high note.
