In Power Ballad, Paul Rudd and Nick Jonas star as two musicians at very different stages of their lives whose paths unexpectedly collide through the creation of a song that changes everything. Directed by John Carney, the filmmaker behind Once, Begin Again, and Sing Street, the film explores the complicated relationship between creativity, ambition, and ownership.
Paul Rudd is at his very best as Rick, a musician still quietly holding onto memories of what might have been. He’s funny, charming, and occasionally frustrating, but always relatable. Opposite him, Nick Jonas delivers one of his most grounded performances to date as Danny Wilson, a former boy band star struggling to find his footing as a solo artist. Jonas brings an authenticity to the role that feels informed by his own experiences growing up in the spotlight.
When Rick meets Danny, the two quickly bond over music. After a wedding and a few too many drinks, they spend the night swapping stories and sharing songs they’ve written. It’s one of the film’s strongest sequences and lays the foundation for everything that follows.
That connection quickly unravels when Danny takes one of Rick’s songs and turns it into a massive hit without giving him credit. Suddenly, Danny finds himself back on top while Rick is left watching his own creation become a worldwide success. From there, the film becomes a thoughtful exploration of ambition, ego, artistic ownership, and the price both men are willing to pay for recognition.
What makes the film work so well is that both men are treated as equal emotional anchors of the story. It’s funny, sometimes ridiculously so, but it also has a surprising amount of heart. While the stolen song sets the plot in motion, the film is ultimately about two men confronting their dreams, regrets, and the question of whether success is worth the cost.
The script sneaks up on you emotionally. Beneath the laughs is a moving realization within Rick’s journey. After years of wondering what might have been, he comes to understand that he wouldn’t actually change the choices that shaped his life. That emotional thread gives the film much of its weight and helps it linger long after the credits roll.
The film also spends time exploring both Rick’s and Danny’s personal lives, adding further depth to their characters. Even with its themes of disappointment and betrayal, there is an undeniable warmth running throughout the story.
At its core, Power Ballad is about creativity, ambition, and the lingering ache of unrealized dreams. It’s funny, emotional, and deeply human, anchored by terrific performances from both Rudd and Jonas.
Power Ballad is now playing in theaters.
