Power Ballad Review: Paul Rudd & Nick Jonas Sing Beautifully Together In Yet Another John Carney Heartwarmer

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John Carney’s films, like Once, Begin Again, and Sing Street, aren’t just about making music; they explore deeper themes of personal growth, the challenges of pursuing your dreams, and how creativity can help us through difficult times. The films focus on how music impacts people’s lives – whether they’re feeling lost, falling in love, or searching for something better – rather than the music itself.

John Carney delivers another winning film, and it’s no surprise with Paul Rudd leading the way. While it’s a bit more cynical and even melancholic than his previous movies, it still feels warm and tender. The film explores accepting the consequences of our decisions, even when they mean letting go of long-held ambitions. Ultimately, it’s a sweet romance that argues that the most meaningful art – whether shared with the world or a single person – comes from honesty and genuine affection.

Paul Rudd’s Performance Anchors A Winning Cautionary Tale About Artistry & Success

Rick Rudd makes a living as a wedding singer near Dublin, where he’s lived for the past fifteen years. He met his wife, Laura Whelton, while on tour with his former band, Octagon, and they married soon after. Rick stayed in Ireland while the band eventually faded away. Now, he plays with a wedding band called The Bride and Groove and is raising his teenage daughter, Aja Fallon, who’s currently going through that phase where everything feels embarrassing.

The Bride and Groove are hired to play a wedding where Danny Wilson, a former boy band member now struggling as a solo artist, is in attendance. The groom unexpectedly asks Danny to perform with the band, and the two musicians quickly connect. They spend the evening playing music together and giving each other feedback on their original songs, including Rick’s heartfelt, though somewhat basic, power ballad titled “How to Write a Song (Without You),” which is about his family.

Being a Danny fan, it’s tough seeing him struggle in LA. His manager, Mac, and the record label are really pushing him to move past his boy band image, and it’s clearly stressing him out. That’s when he does something crazy – he hears Rick’s song and, in a moment of desperation, pretends he wrote it himself. It actually works! Six months later, the song is absolutely everywhere – I even heard it blasting in a sports store while Rick was buying cleats, which was just…surreal. It’s a huge hit, but knowing where it really came from makes things complicated.

People close to Rick don’t believe he’s making up the story about writing the song, but he can’t prove it was his either. There are no recordings, no lyrics, and no witnesses to support his claim. After repeatedly pressuring Mac, he’s finally warned that he’ll be sued if he doesn’t stop. Rick had been happily settled in the Irish suburbs, but seeing someone profit from his work awakens a forgotten ambition for recognition, and he becomes increasingly desperate to contact Danny.

In Power Ballad, Carney thoughtfully explores how the pursuit of fame and wealth can change people, and what we learn simply from getting older. The story, co-written by Carney and Peter McDonald (who also plays a character in the film), highlights how easily artistic integrity can be compromised by money and fleeting popularity. While it doesn’t have the same energetic feel as some of Carney’s other films – partly because the same song is played repeatedly – its focus allows the audience to reflect on the balance between duty and personal happiness.

Jonas feels a little awkward in his part, even though it’s based on his own life, and unintentionally makes Danny seem shallow, which diminishes the meaning of his music. Rudd is so charming that it’s difficult to criticize Rick, even when he acts badly. They make a strange but wonderful duo, especially when you consider their different backgrounds and paths to success outside of acting. Ultimately, Power Ballad shows us that connecting with your audience is crucial, no matter who they are.

Power Ballad screened at the 2026 SXSW Film & TV Festival.

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2026-03-15 17:10