Movie Review: ‘Power Ballad’

by | Jun 3, 2026 | Featured Post, Movie Reviews, Movies | 0 comments


Greetings again from the darkness. It’s been said that we must experience the bad times to fully appreciate the good times. However, while those bad times are occurring, they can feel overwhelming and like it will never get better again. It’s also been said that inner peace can only be found by appreciating what one has. All of this philosophy is on display in this latest from writer-director John Carney and co-writer Peter McDonald. Mr. Carney has been the creative force behind three other gems centered on music: FLORA AND SON (2023), SING STREET (2016), and ONCE (2008). Mr. McDonald’s 2011 short film PENTECOST received an Oscar nomination. These guys are talented and they’ve done it again with this film.

For twenty-five years (plus or minus), Paul Rudd has crafted a certain on-screen persona. He’s been so adept at this that most of us are quite aware of what to expect for a Paul Rudd movie or role. In a welcome change of pace, this time it’s different. As the lead singer of a wedding band, he still fires off a few patented one-liners, but he is also a middle-aged married guy with a teenage daughter. Rudd’s Rick is the sensitive type who still harbors dreams of what could have been as a songwriter and rock star had he not moved to Ireland for the girl. Rick is often frustrated at playing the same old re-tread hits over and over as well-dressed folks dance the night away.

A twist of fate finds Rick crossing paths with Danny Wilson (Nick Jonas), a singer who was once part of a mega-hit Boy Band. Danny is now attempting to transition to grown-up music in an industry that doesn’t always embrace a change of style. His agent, Mac (Jack Reynor) makes this abundantly clear. Rick and Danny spend a few post-wedding hours proving their love of music as they fine-tune some songs in Danny’s palatial suite. They share what each has been working on and generously offer the other some suggestions. Rick leaves reinvigorated about reclaiming his joy in songwriting, while Danny takes a different approach to quell the pressure of re-branding his image.

What follows is not just a life lesson, but commentary on art and greed and blind ambition. Playing key roles here are Rick’s wife (Marcella Plunkett) and daughter Aja (Beth Fallon), and especially Rick’s guitarist and close friend Sandy (played by the film’s co-writer Peter McDonald). Our parents train us to ‘do the right thing’, but what happens when others don’t? Therein lies the life lesson. From a musical standpoint, the lip-synching could have been better produced to sound live, but that’s a minor quibble for a movie that’s so entertaining while introducing us to a new path for Paul Rudd.

Opens in theaters on June 5, 2026

David Ferguson
Latest posts by David Ferguson (see all)