FILM REVIEW: POWER BALLAD (15) ESP RATING: 3.5/5
- ESP Online
- 14 minutes ago
- 2 min read
This is an easy-going musical comedy – which works best when you stop comparing it to greatness.
I walked into Power Ballad with huge expectations. I’m a massive fan of writer-director John Carney and his previous music-focused movies Once, Sing Street and Begin Again. All three are easy recommendations for anyone who loves films about music.
This latest effort follows Rick (Paul Rudd), a former aspiring musician whose dreams of stardom never quite worked out, and who now makes a living as a wedding singer.
When he crosses paths with fading boy-band star Danny (Nick Jonas) during a gig, the pair bond over their shared love of music and end up writing a song together.
But when Danny turns that song into the hit that reignites his career, Rick is forced to confront the success that slipped through his fingers. Determined to claim the recognition he feels he deserves, he sets out to take back what’s his – even if it means risking everything he cares about.
The problem for me is that it’s almost impossible not to compare this flick to Carney’s previous work. And unfortunately, Power Ballad doesn’t quite have the same level of heart and soul as those films.
A big reason for that is that it feels like quite a bit of character development has been left on the cutting-room floor. Certain relationships feel undercooked. Particularly Rick’s friendship with a fellow band member, which suddenly becomes important to the story despite the film doing very little groundwork beforehand. There were multiple moments where I felt like I’d missed a scene.
The music also doesn’t quite reach the heights of the director’s previous films either. One of the joys of his his aforementioned back catalogue, was walking out of the cinema with several new songs immediately added to your playlist. Here, because of the nature of the story, everything revolves around one key song. It works within the narrative, but it means the soundtrack never quite leaves the same lasting impression.
That being said, something interesting happened once I stopped making those comparisons. I started enjoying the film for what it actually is.
On its own merits, this is sweet, funny, and incredibly easy to watch. Rudd (Ant-Man) is as effortlessly charming as ever, Nick Jonas (Jumanji: Welcome to the Jungle) holds his own, and the film has a warmth running through it that makes it difficult to dislike.
It might not blast out a truly memorable power ballad for the ages – but is still enjoyable in its own right.
ESP Rating: 3.5/5
Mike Clarke
Showcase Cinema De Lux Peterborough & Odeon Luxe Peterborough, Out Now
Cast: Paul Rudd, Nick Jonas, Havana Rose Liu, Peter Mcdonald & Jack Reynor
Running Time: 1 Hr 38 Mins
Director: John Carney
Film Review Venue: Showcase Cinema De Lux Peterborough
For all the latest film information & showtimes at Peterborough’s Showcase Cinema De Lux & Odeon Luxe Cinemas go to www.showcasecinemas.co.uk and www.odeon.co.uk
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