Making a movie about pop stars that isn’t cheesy or cliché is no small feat. But Power Ballad, the latest from director John Carney, pulls it off — it manages to transcend tropes to deliver a funny, heartwarming thriller. It may have you singing the lead track as you leave the theater (speaking from experience).
The film follows retired musician Rick Power (Paul Rudd), who is now a member of a wedding band living in Ireland. One night, she connects with Danny Wilson (Nick Jonas), a fellow American boy band star struggling to establish himself as a serious, independent musician. After jumping together for a few hours, they part ways, realizing that they will cross paths again one day. And oh boy, do they.
Six months later, Rick hears a hit song that sounds eerily familiar — and realizes it’s the one they worked on together that night in Ireland, but never finished. Fueled by disbelief and anger, he embarks on an all-consuming journey to chase the glory he thinks he deserves.
The movie opens in select theaters on May 29, and everywhere on June 5. I caught an early screening this past weekend at the San Francisco International Film Festival.
Power Ballad is a comedy drama full of cheeky jabs and understated humor that is always engaging. In one early scene, Rick and his bandmates watch the famous heartthrob, Danny Wilson, fumble with his reading glasses to see a phone screen — thus emphasizing their old self. The screening I attended had the audience laughing from the first few minutes until the middle scene.
But a strong moral center and subtle tension ultimately drive the film from start to finish. Power Ballad explores the cost of being consumed by selfishness and ego, while also exploring the pitfalls of trying to prove yourself to the wrong people. It maintains a light-hearted tone, aided by humor and a more nuanced take on its characters. Rather than feeling regressive, this keeps the plot focused and reinforces the film’s crowd-pleasing appeal. Rudd and Jonas agree literally and metaphorically throughout the film, even when their characters don’t see eye to eye.
The pursuit of fame and super-stardom may not suit many people. But the basic longing for purpose and recognition explored in Power Ballad will resonate with anyone.
Rudd and Jonas bring these desires to life through characters who, despite their very different lives, capture a shared anger, longing and loneliness. The pain of feeling misunderstood, even by those close to them, is palpable. Each is arguing about how much he is willing to sacrifice to get what he wants. In addition to extreme self-control in following your dreams, Power Ballad is also a lesson in when to let it go.
Admittedly, I came to this film with a vested interest: I’ve been a Jonas Brothers fan — and by extension, a Nick Jonas fan — since 2006. Jonas feels like the right choice to play Danny not only because of his hard work, but also because of the lived experience he brings to the screen. He knows how to convey the growing pains of going from a boy band to solo action because he’s done it in real life. (Although, to the relief of Jonas fans everywhere, the group is now back together.)
What makes Jonas’ role even more believable is the use of actual throwback clips from his early career. Snippets of old Jonas Brothers performances and interviews harken back to the YouTube videos I watched over and over as a teenager, adding a welcome dose of nostalgia and authenticity.
Rudd, too, skillfully conveys the hurt nature of a man who expected to be more — and who is upset that his one chance to make it big seems to have been taken away from him. He balances his character’s natural charm with the growing stress as he pushes for what he thinks is rightfully his. Rudd may not be the true pop star of this band, but he holds his own with impressively powerful vocals.
The lead single, How to Write a Song (Without You), is also incredibly catchy without veering too far into kitschy, sentimental territory. I promise not to get stuck in your head.
The film itself is irresistible, a feel-good watch that will likely stay with you long after the last note has faded.
