Power Ballad review

 

I love John Carney movies. Not only are the songs absolutely amazing but the stories surrounding these songs are always so sweet, so charming and make for great movies. This time around the story follows an American named Rick who has been living in Dublin for years after meeting a girl at one of his gigs. They have a daughter and marry and as time goes on Rick turns into a well past his prime wedding bang frontman. Once dreamed of headling Madison Square Garden his life has stagnated and although he still writes music still he doesn't exactly go any further with it. That all changes however as while performing at a wedding the groom invites his childhood friend to perform as a guest and it turns out he is part of a gigantic boyband in America who had recently gone solo (The Jonas Brothers but not the Jonas Brothers) 

As Rick and Danny (Nick Jonas) meet and get to know one another they begin to jam and play music together. Danny a recent solo artist like I said is struggling to come up with new material. That all changes when once he returns home he quote unqoute takes Rick's song which is called How To Write A Song Without You and makes it his own. It becomes a worldwide smash leading to success for Danny but despair for Rick whose life begins to spiral out of control. That's the story in a nutshell but Power Ballad is so much more. It is feel good, fun, charming and at times very emotional. It's packed with music both old and new and once again John Carney has created a tremendous movie. 

Paul Rudd and Nick Jonas really work well together here when they're on screen but for the most part they are not together rather apart via Dublin and LA. The contrast between the two cities is fascinating also but I do wish they could've had more interaction but saying that it doesn't take away from Power Ballad being a great piece of musical comedy cinema. John Carney does it again and makes it look so effortless. Brilliant stuff!

★★★★