Paul Rudd and Nick Jonas released their fun, but uneven single The Power Balladpremiered Saturday at SXSW.
In the film directed by John Carney, which he co-wrote with star Peter McDonald, Rick (Rudd) is a wedding band player who lives in a beautiful, idyllic Irish village, where he settled with his wife and child 20 years earlier, while on tour with his fledgling band Octagon.
While performing at a wedding with The Bride & Groove, Rick welcomes their friend, fading pop star Danny (Jonas), to the stage at the bride’s request. After sharing real musical chemistry with the others on stage, Rick spends the night drunk and making out with Danny in his hotel room.
Months later, Rick is shocked to find a song he wrote years ago has hit the charts, sung by Danny. Embarking on a mission to prove that he wrote the song himself, Rick’s band, family and life began to unravel.
Amidst a festival already full of films and television shows that showcase creative ideas on a hot topic, the film raises the pertinent question of artistic ownership in the age of AI spawning.
It also serves as a love letter to artists and musicians who are truly passionate about their craft, showcasing the craft, from pop stars to wedding singers to street bus riders.
Meanwhile, role-playing games left something to be desired. While Rudd and Jonas manage to drive home a few emotional moments in the film, it feels like a wasted opportunity to have two actors with comedic talent (Jonas showed some chops as Boone in Scream Queens) with only a few jokes in the film.
Still, Rudd’s amazing arc with his band and closest confidante Sandy (McDonald) provides some solid comedic antics as Rick tries to prove himself. With wife Rachel (Marcella Plunkett) and daughter Aja (Beth Fallon), Rudd seamlessly fits into the cool dad/family man, making you root for him to make things right with them.
Jonas was not given much emotional material to work with. The film introduces his supportive longtime girlfriend Marcia (Havana Rose Liu), with whom he breaks up shortly after his song becomes a hit. Given the composition of the cast, I was hoping to see that relationship resolved into something more than a gossipy topic.
Anyway The Power BalladComedic flaws aside, the film has the potential to work as a feel-good date night movie or perhaps a comfortable watch for artists who want to feel important in an overcrowded creative environment.
Title: The Power Ballad
Festival: SXSW (Narrative Spotlight)
Director: John Carney
Screenwriters: John Carney, Peter McDonald
Actors: Paul Rudd, Nick Jonas, Peter McDonald, Marcella Plunkett, Havana Rose Liu, Jack Reynor
Sales Agent: WME
Working time: 1 hour 38 min
