Power Ballad SXSW Review

If you read these reviews, you already know that I really love movies. One of my favorite things is discovering something I had no idea about going in. But I also love my comfort movies—the ones that feel like a warm hug. For me, the films of John Carney are exactly that kind of hug. Movies like Once (which gets a nice little nod here), Begin Again, and Sing Street have that special magic. Honestly, just about everything Carney has made hits that sweet spot for me. Needless to say, I was excited to see what he would do next, and now it’s here with Power Ballad—and once again, Carney doesn’t disappoint.

Rick (Paul Rudd) is a pretty solid wedding singer these days, but that’s not what he always dreamed of being. At one time, Rick was an aspiring rock star who wrote his own music. But after meeting Rachel (Marcella Plunkett), he decided to leave that dream behind and build a life with her. Now they have a daughter, Aja (Beth Fallon), and Rick spends his days playing weddings.

At one particular wedding, though, things get interesting.

The couple getting married happen to be friends with Danny (Nick Jonas), a former boy band star who shows up to celebrate. After being invited to sing a song on stage together, Danny and Rick instantly click. Later that night, Rick ends up in Danny’s room, where the two start jamming and playing music together. Rick shares one of his original songs, and the two of them play around with it before calling it a night. Before they part ways, Danny gives Rick a beautiful guitar, and life moves on.

Fast forward a bit, and Rick is walking through a mall when he hears something familiar playing over the speakers. It’s Danny’s new song—and it’s the same one Rick shared with him at the wedding. At first, Rick is thrilled. But that excitement fades quickly when he realizes he hasn’t been credited for the song.

Now all Rick wants to know is one thing: why?

Written by Peter McDonald and Carney (who also directs), Power Ballad—much like Carney’s other films—is a story told through music. Carney has a real knack for creating wonderful songs and wrapping them inside stories that are tender, funny, and full of heart. There’s plenty of that here. Music is always the driving force in his films, and the songs in Power Ballad are no exception. In fact, I’m already looking forward to adding a few of them to my personal Carney playlist.

But the music isn’t the only thing that works here. Power Ballad really hits all the right notes.

The film is a perfect mix of humor, heart, and soul. Carney gives us songs that will have you tapping your feet, but he also gives us moments that genuinely make you feel something. While the music will certainly get a lot of attention, the performances deserve just as much praise. Rudd once again proves how effortlessly charming he can be, while Jonas fits perfectly into his role and delivers a surprisingly strong performance.

Still, the real scene-stealer is Paul McDonald as Sandy, who also co-wrote the film. While Rudd provides the emotional core of the story, McDonald brings a lot of the laughs and absolutely runs away with several scenes.

With great performances and another fantastic batch of songs, Power Ballad ends up being a true crowd-pleaser. It’s the kind of movie that leaves you feeling good when the credits roll—and honestly, sometimes that warm cinematic hug is exactly what we need.