Writer/Director: John Carney
Starring: Paul Rudd, Nick Jonas and Jack Reynor
‘A Magnificent Music Drama’
Plagiarism is a problem that impacts musicians seeking to achieve stardom. It’s hard to not feel depressed when musicians steal. On a personal level, I find stories of musicians relatable. Several years ago, my father was a maestro that loved recording melodious songs in his studio. Shining ray of light in darkness, music was an art that ensured his happiness. Not since Elvis Presley had I ever come across anyone that loved music so passionately. A divine musician with abilities to walk the line, his passion for music never seemed to decline. Perhaps, my father’s greatest strength as a singer was that he wrote songs he would treasure. As passionate as Mozart, music was an art that held a huge place in his heart. He would feel strongly about songs he considered a massive deal which he felt nobody should steal. It didn’t take long before I bonded with a father that loved creating every song. He would always share precious lyrics for songs he had written with me. Born to become a star, he inspired my passion for playing guitar. However, plagiarism brought my father’s dreams to a closure. When he discovered his commemorated songs had been stolen, my father abandoned dreams of becoming a musician. Discovering his songs had been stolen by a friend brought my father’s passion of music to a heartbreaking end. Longing for yesterday, my father yearned for times in life when all his troubles seemed so far away. Facing plagiarism that proved to be problematic, my father soon lost his passion for the sound of music. Torn between love and mercy, my father couldn’t forgive his friend for stealing his melody. In reflection, I have acquired appreciation for a father that never accomplished his dreams of being a musician.
As someone treasuring a father that loved to compose a powerful ballad, I enjoyed “Power Ballad”. Released in 2026, John Carney’s movie offered a powerful portrait of plagiarism. Packed with breathtaking concert sequences, engaging storytelling and phenomenal performances, it’s a mesmerizing music drama. At the centre of it all is an extraordinary performance by Paul Rudd, who embodies a struggling musician. Although “Power Ballad” is a powerful music drama, it isn’t a flawless film. It builds to an abrupt conclusion without resolution. Nevertheless, it offers engaging entertainment for fans of music dramas.
“Power Ballad” tells the story of a musician seeking credit for his powerful ballad. Paul Rudd portrays Rick Power, a washed-up wedding singer. Assisted by his Irish band, Rick has loved composing music. However, Rick’s passion is tested when his song is stolen by a singer. When his melodious song is stolen by singer Danny Wilson (Nick Jonas), Rick faces barriers that are dangerous. Facing plagiarism that’s tragic, Rick questions love for music.
John Carney is fascinated with the lives of musicians seeking prosperity. His award-winning film “Once” offered a powerful portrait of Irish musicians seeking greater experience. With “Power Ballad”, however, Carney made his first plagiarism drama. It marked the filmmaker’s first attempt to capture plagiarism faced by musicians causing adversity. but he succeeded immensely. Evoking Bradley Cooper’s “Maestro”, Carney effectively uses handheld camerawork to capture the life of a struggling maestro. For instance, handheld visuals elevate the wedding performance scene. During this unforgettable scene, Rick and his Irish band deliver a memorable performance at a wedding. It brought back heartwarming memories of a father that loved performing melodies shaping his identity. Handheld visuals are a tricky technique. As Taylor Hackford’s “Ray” demonstrated, handheld camerawork elevates biopics about blind musicians. Nevertheless, it works immensely in this movie. Using breathtaking visuals, Carney captures hardships singers are facing.
Another powerful aspect of “Power Ballad” deserving appreciation is production. From a technical perspective, it’s one of the most impressive music biopics you will see. As precious as a ballad, the film features awe-inspiring concerts that deserve to be celebrated. Evoking James Mangold’s “Walk the Line”, Carney effectively uses live-singing capturing divine musicians that shine. For instance, live-singing elevates the music jamming session. During this unforgettable scene, Rick and Danny develop a powerful bond by jamming in music sessions together. It reminded me of my powerful bond with a father with whom I shared an undying love of music I appreciated. Moreover, the musical score is magnificent. Cary Clark’s music contributes towards success of the movie. It gives the movie an engaging atmosphere honouring melodies musicians love to hear. Through stunning production, Carney captures the life of a musician.
Storytelling is one of the main reasons why “Power Ballad” is a music drama that’s engaging. In Hollywood, most movies about famous musicians rarely address plagiarism that’s misunderstood. For instance, Baz Luhrmann’s “Elvis” depicted Elvis Presley as a flawless musician without being affected by any crisis. Thankfully, however, “Power Ballad” avoids these pitfalls. Evoking Danny Boyle’s “Yesterday”, Carney uses monologues to capture plagiarism in music that comes with a painful price to pay. For instance, monologues elevate the confrontation scene. During this unforgettable scene, Rick confronts Danny about stealing music at his L.A. party. It reminded me of my father’s feelings of frustration when he discovered his music had been stolen by friends leaving him devastated. Monologues are tricky techniques. As Milos Forman’s “Amadeus” suggested, monologues elevate biopics about Mozart. Nevertheless, it works in this movie. Through a spectacular screenplay, Carney honours musicians with melodies to play.
One appreciates amazing performances.
Paul Rudd delivers one of his best career performances as Rick Power. Rudd first earned appreciation for playing upbeat characters in comedies. With “Power Ballad”, however, he took on his most complex role. It isn’t easy to portray a struggling musician facing plagiarism causing adversity, but he succeeds tremendously. Evoking Oscar Isaac in The Coen Brothers’ “Inside Llewyn Davis”, Rudd embodies a struggling musician facing a mid-life crisis. With riveting expressions, he captures the angst, grief and passion of a struggling musician that faces plagiarism tensions. It’s a phenomenal performance from one of the finest actors working today.
Nick Jonas is fantastic as a famous singer stealing precious songs causing consequences that are dangerous. While Rudd gets the showier role, Jonas is also excellent as a musician that’s driven to accomplish a strong goal. Recalling Paul Dano in Bill Pohlad’s “Love & Mercy”, Jonas embodies a troubled musician seeking love and mercy. Whether he’s singing at a concert showcasing his love of music or experiencing a tense argument with Rick, Jonas uses compelling body language to create a portrait of a musician that’s iconic. It’s a fantastic performance from one of the most talented musicians working today.
Despite its extraordinary performances, however, “Power Ballad” can’t quite honour powerful lives of musicians that are celebrated. Carney’s decision to integrate subplots about Rick’s dysfunctional family life into the movie is bold but hinders the pacing. Due to this faulty decision, scenes focusing on Rick’s relationship with his wife aren’t as engaging as his musical journey. As Robert Wise’s “The Sound of Music” suggested, subplots about family elevate musicals. Moreover, the film lacks a compelling ending. It’s an over-the-top ending that sugarcoats that harsh realities of music plagiarism. At worst, it sends harmful messages about plagiarism that aren’t true to reality. Therefore, “Power Ballad” can’t quite capture the lives of musicians that people adore.
Nevertheless, fans of Paul Rudd will definitely enjoy “Power Ballad” and so will audiences seeking exhilarating entertainment. A mesmerizing music drama, it proves that stories of musicians are worth telling in Cinema.
A powerful portrait of painful plagiarism that causes the lives of successful musicians to hit rock bottom, it’s a profound reminder offering valuable wisdom about a serious problem that can impact singers’ abilities to achieve stardom.
As precious as songs Rick loves recording, it has inspired me to move on several years after plagiarism caused my father to lose his passion for singing by cherishing memories of a caregiver cultivating my love of music which is everlasting.
4/5 stars
The Film Buff 