“Power Ballad” kicks off with a once upon a time pop sensation Danny Wilson (Nick Jonas) sharing a nightcap with Rick Power (Paul Rudd), a middle-aged wedding singer. Their drunken banter soon turns into a jam session. However, Power is in for a rude shock when Danny plagiarises his lyrics for a comeback album. Determined to reclaim the ballad that could have changed the course of his life, he embarks on a journey to demand accountability from the pop-star who profited off him.
In times where studios devalue artistes, treat human talent as replaceable with AI, and eking out a living as a creative grows increasingly difficult, a thought-provoking musical drama about deciding to stand up and stick it to the man is a breath of fresh air. The plight of the underdog in “Power Ballad” is relatable to any individual who chases their impossible dreams even when it feels pointless or without payoff in sight. Imagery such as Rick’s nightmare about getting the short end of the stick as his audio is cut off while preparing to sing at a packed stadium stick outs. As does him being drowned out by a guitar riff further amplify the struggles to break out in an industry where uncertainty and greedy practices prevail over all else. Often stardom isn’t earned through hard work but mass produced via a series of image rebrands.Â
‘Power Ballad’ is Apropos in Today’s Musical Climate
“Power Ballad” also effectively illustrates the difference between working hard for one’s dreams versus capitalising off someone else’s. In a scene that subtly captures the unequal playing ground for the duo, Danny plays a sold out show at Madison Square Garden with groupies throwing themselves at him, while Rick is perceived as a human jukebox who settles for a gig at the lesser-known Madison Inn just to earn his bread.
The uneven power dynamics between Rick and Danny are also examined via a bromance that blossoms and quickly sours. Initially Rick views Danny as a like-minded confidant eager to lend an ear and tweak his original compositions, especially after his wife and daughter tire of listening to him test out new material. However, this genuine connection and trust forged through a mutual love for music is halted after Rick is unexpectedly thrown under the metaphorical tour bus by the self-centred Danny.Â
Rudd and Jonas Play Well Off Each Other
A sublime soundtrack by frequent collaborator Gary Clark is another aspect that enriches filmmaker John Carney’s body of work. And I recall being obsessed with the Oscar winning OST of the musical romance “Once” back when pirating MP3 files off sketchy websites was the only method of consuming media (Carney even leaves in an Easter egg to the beloved Irish classic in “Power Ballad”). Music itself a powerful storytelling tool, with each composition propelling the story. An instance of the same is my personal favourite track “Finishing Line,” the lyrics of which denote the hierarchy between Rick and Danny. While the latter has already tasted success, the former is running out of time yet determined to make it to the finishing line. Even the titles convey a sense of irony, as the single which Rick co-writes yet is never credited for is named “How to Write a Song Without You.”
Paul Rudd exudes likability as the down-to-earth Rick Power. And even when this character is at his most embittered after being kicked to the curb — drowning his sorrows in pints of Guinness and projecting this bitterness at his loved ones and bandmates alike — one can’t help but be moved to feel pangs of betrayal on his behalf and naturally sympathize with him. Rudd’s Brian Adams-esque style of crooning and infectious charisma during the musical portions are another bonus. Nick Jonas turns in a formidable performance as the unscrupulous Danny, even if the characterization feels slightly one-note in comparison to the well-developed Rick. Peter McDonald brings the laughs as Power’s ride-or-die buddy Sandy and deserves a special mention.
A High Recommend
Signing off, I’d highly recommend “Power Ballad” if you grew up vibing to Miley Cyrus’ 2008 heartbreak anthem “7 Things.” This movie proves to be the cinematic equivalent of the same, minus the ‘girly pop’ aesthetics, which doubles down on killing with kindness and civility.
