STORYLINE: When Rick (Paul Rudd), a past-his-prime wedding singer, meets fading boy-band star Danny (Nick Jonas) during a gig, the two bond over music and a late-night jam session. But when Danny turns one of Rick’s songs into the hit that reignites his career, Rick sets out to reclaim the recognition he believes he deserves – even if it means risking everything he cares about. From writer-director John Carney (Sing Street, Once), POWER BALLAD is a feel-good story about music, self-respect, friendship, and the price of ambition. (IMDb)

    What do the films Sister Act (1992), O Brother, Where Art Thou? (2001), and Janis Ian: Breaking Silence (2024) all have in common?  All three incredible films feature music as a major plot point, while none are an actual musical.  The new Paul Rudd Indy film, Power Ballad, plays this same tune.

   Movies and music have a symbiotic relationship, that has lasted since the birth of film. Despite my complaints about music, overwhelming movies, at times, you can’t have film without music.  On the flipside of those complaints there are some truly memorable music in movies. Take the score from the 1975 feature Jaws, as an example.  It makes since that music would be used as a story telling device in features like Power Ballad. 

     Yes, music propels the plot forward. At the heart of the movie though, is rediscovering who you are as a person, and where you are currently in life. Power Ballad is designed to be a slice of life, feel good kind of feature. 

    In that way the movie works. It gets a bit on the high horse towards the end, with its message.  Before it gets to that point, Power Ballad, is entertaining and predictable. The characters are all pretty much cookie cutter.  If you saw Begin Again (2013) or Sing Street (2016) from director John Carney, director of Power Ballad, then you’ve seen this one. To a carbon copy of his other features..

   Power Ballad is a motion picture based in music, that is predictable and feel good

    Until next time, I will see you at the movies!