Good news for people who like heartwarming music movies and awkward adulting: John Carney, the brains behind warm-and-fuzzy tunes in films like Sing Street and Once, has a new comedy called Power Ballad. It pairs Paul Rudd as a worn-out wedding singer with Nick Jonas as a faded boy-band star. Predictable chaos and soulful honesty follow.
What happens
Rick, played by Paul Rudd, is the type of wedding singer who knows every aisle song and has probably cried into a bouquet at least once. Danny, played by Nick Jonas, is the former boy-band heartthrob whose fame is on the decline. They meet during a gig, swap stories, and jam late into the night.
Then Danny takes one of Rick's songs, turns it into a big hit, and his career sparks back to life. That would be great for Danny, except Rick thinks he deserves the credit. So Rick tries to reclaim recognition, and things get messy, emotional, and occasionally very loud.
The cast and crew
- Paul Rudd as Rick, the past-his-prime wedding singer
- Nick Jonas as Danny, the fading boy-band star
- Also starring: Peter McDonald, Marcella Plunkett, Havana Rose Liu, and Jack Reynor
John Carney directed the film and co-wrote the script with Peter McDonald. Producers include Anthony Bregman, John Carney, Peter Cron, Rebecca O’Flanagan, and Robert Walpole. Production was fully financed and executive produced by 30West.
Where it has been and where it is going
Power Ballad had its first showing at the Dublin Film Festival and is set to play at SXSW. If you are a fan of music movies that tug on the heartstrings while gently mocking grown-up crises, mark your calendar.
Release date
The film arrives in cinemas on June 5. A trailer has been released, so if you want to watch two pros awkwardly trade dignity for a chorus, you can find it online.
Overall vibe: equal parts sweet and petty, with catchy songs and people trying to figure out who they are after the applause fades. It is the kind of movie that will make you smile, maybe cringe, and definitely hum on the commute home.
