I love Paul Rudd and I love music so this was a film I was super motivated to watch. Between the story and the actors, I found this movie charming and creative after watching it. Paul Rudd and Nick Jonas are exceptionally good and the story is heartwarming.
Power Ballad is a musical comedy drama movie directed and co-written by John Carney. In the film, Rick Power (Paul Rudd) is the American lead singer of a Dublin based wedding band. After marrying his Irish girlfriend Rachel (Marcella Plunkett) and having a daughter, Aja (Beth Fallon), he’s given up on his dreams of headlining Madison Square Garden. After performing at a wedding, he meets famous boy band singer Danny Wilson (Nick Jonas). Danny is invited to sing with the band for a song and afterwards the pair hang out together, playing songs privately. Danny is attempting to release a solo album so after he returns to Los Angeles, Danny plays a song Rick sang for him, How to Write a Song (Without You) for his girlfriend. He then releases the song as his own. Rick hears it and tries to get Danny to give him credit for the music. With the help of his friend Sandy (Peter McDonald), Rick confronts Danny but is unable to get closure. Will he be able to let go or will the music haunt him?
For me, what makes this story so creative is the way it views creativity, the music industry and what it means to interact with art. For Danny, the song means something completely different than what Rick intended when he wrote the piece and how he markets the music changes how others view it. The film also asks questions about copyright, what we owe each other as artists and whether producing a musical piece is as important as writing it. Danny is able to get the music out in the world but he does so without permission. Who then is more integral in the music process? Ultimately, I think it is the creator but I like how the film looks at both Danny and Rick’s points of view. 
The film is funny, especially as Rick begins to unravel about the loss of his music, questioning even his own sanity since he cannot find a record of the piece before singing it for Danny. He’s sure it exists but is unable to locate a recording to prove his rights. His fights with his family and his friends add to the drama but also the humor. I also find Sandy especially funny, both his manner and his willingness to fight for his friend.
Both Paul Rudd and Nick Jonas are exceptionally good in the film. Paul Rudd is charming and emotional as Rick. He has a great dynamic with the actress playing his daughter Aja as well as the actor playing Sandy. The interactions between him and Nick Jonas feels in the moment like a real connection despite the character of Danny betraying Rick. Nick Jonas is believable and likeable as Danny despite his desire for success. His desire for success pushes the character toward the choices he makes, for good or bad. I love that the character of Rick actually understands the motivations of Danny. Paul Rudd and Nick Jonas have powerful and dynamic interactions with each other that carry the film along.
The only factor that diminishes the film in any way is that it is slow to build in the beginning. The pacing is quick afterwards, especially as Rick unravels and goes to confront Danny. Even though it starts off slow, the soundtrack is catchy and kept me engaged in the movie. I love the music and I love how the film ends in a surprising way.
If you like music, comedy, and Paul Rudd, you will want to see this film. It is a crowd-pleaser of a movie, with catchy music, with intriguing ideas on the music industry and powerhouse performances by Paul Rudd and Nick Jonas. The film is charming and creative, the story is heartwarming and I loved every second of the film.
Rating: 4.5 guitars out of 5
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