POWER BALLAD

(director/writer: John Carney; screenwriter: Peter McDonald; cinematographer: Yaron Orbach; editor: Stephen O’Connell; music: Gary Clark, John Carney; cast: Paul Rudd (Rick), Nick Jonas (Danny Wilson), Peter McDonald (Sandy), Marcella Plunkett (Rachel), Havana Rose Liu (Marcia), Jack Reynor (Mac, Danny’s manager), Beth Fallon (Aja); Runtime: 98; MPAA Rating: R; producers: Anthony Bregman, John Carney, Peter Cron, Rebecca O’Flanagan, Robert Walpole; A Lionsgate release; 2026)

“It’s a breezy film, whose gentleness covers up how sardonic it is.”

Reviewed by Dennis Schwartz

Irish director John Carney (“Flora and Son”/”Sing Street”) co-writes with Peter McDonald this robust musical/ comedy/ drama about corrupt behavior in the musical industry. It’s an unsettling film, even if charming and touching.

Rick (Paul Rudd) is a washed-up wedding singer living in the suburbs of Dublin, who befriends the failed young pop singer Danny (Nick Jonas) when they are performing at the same wedding gig. Six months later Nick finds out Danny stole one of his songs he revealed to him that night when he was drunk. The kid, now back home in L.A., refuses to give him credit when the song, a power ballad about his family, turns into an international sensation earning millions.

Rick has no valid proof he wrote the song, as he goes all out to get what he believes he’s rightfully owed. We learn Rick’s an American who came to Ireland 15 years ago with his touring band and married the Irish girl Rachel (Marcella Plunkett) and remained in the country living a comfortable suburban life. The couple have a rebellious teenage daughter Aja (Beth Fallon).

Rick’s band returned to the states after their world-tour and he started playing for another  band.

The music is lively, the story is intriguing, and Rudd’s performance is emotionally moving. It’s a breezy film, whose gentleness covers up how sardonic it is.

It played at SXSW.

REVIEWED ON 3/29/2026  GRADE: B
dennisschwartzreviews.com