“Power Ballad” hits the right notes with humor, heart, and nostalgia

Making a movie about pop stars in a way that’s not clichéd or trite is no easy feat. but Power songdirector John Carney’s latest film, succeeds in this, managing to avoid tropes to deliver a funny, entertaining, audience-pleasing film. It might have you humming the title track as you leave the theater (speaking from experience).

The film follows a washed-up singer named Rick Bauer (Paul Rudd), now a member of a wedding band living in Ireland. One night, he hooks up with Danny Wilson (Nick Jonas), a fellow American and former boy band star struggling to establish himself as a serious, independent musician. After jamming together for several hours, they parted ways, stating that they would probably meet again one day. And oh boy, do they do it.

Six months later, Rick hears a hit song that sounds remarkably familiar… and realizes it is One they worked on together That night in Ireland, but it never ended. Fueled by disbelief and anger, he embarks on an arduous journey to chase the credit he believes he deserves.

The film opens in select theaters on May 29, and everywhere on June 5. I watched an early showing last weekend at San Francisco International Film Festival.

Power Ballad is a comedy-drama full of cheeky jabs and understated humor that constantly sticks the landing. In one early scene, Rick and his bandmates search for likable young man Danny Wilson, as he fumbles to put on his reading glasses to see a phone screen – underscoring their relatively old-fashioned status. The show I attended had the audience laughing from the first few minutes until the mid-credits scene.

But a strong moral center and underlying tension ultimately drive the film from beginning to end. Power Ballad explores the cost of consuming greed and ego, while also examining the dangers of trying to prove yourself to the wrong people. It maintains an overall light-hearted tone, aided by humor and a mostly surface-level approach to its characters. Rather than feeling flawed, this keeps the plot focused and enhances the film’s audience-pleasing appeal. Rudd and Jonas harmonize literally and figuratively throughout the film, even when their characters are at odds.

The pursuit of fame and super-stardom may not be something most people relate to. But the basic longing for purpose and recognition explored in Power Ballad will resonate with anyone.

Rudd and Jonas poignantly bring these desires to life through characters who, though their lives are vastly different, share resentment, longing, and loneliness. The pain of being misunderstood, even by those closest to them, is palpable. They each deal with how much they are willing to sacrifice to get what they want. More than just an exaggerated refrain from following your dreams, Power Ballad is also a timely lesson in letting go.

I definitely went into this film with prior interest: I’ve been a Jonas Brothers fan — and, by extension, a Nick Jonas fan — since 2006. Jonas feels like the right choice for Danny not only because of his committed performance, but also for the lived experience he brings to the screen. He knows how to convey the growing pains of transitioning from boy band to solo act because he did it in real life. (Though to the relief of Jonas fans everywhere, the band is now back together.)

What makes Jonas’ role more believable is the use of real throwback clips from the beginning of his career. Snippets of old Jonas Brothers performances and interviews harken back to the YouTube videos I constantly watched as a teenager, adding a welcome dose of nostalgia and authenticity.

Rudd also skillfully conveys the wounded nature of someone who was expected to amount to more than that – and who is deeply resentful that his only chance at success has seemingly been snatched away from him. He balances his character’s natural charm with growing distress as he pushes for what he believes is his right. Rudd may not be the true pop star of this duo, but he has an impressively powerful voice.

The title track, How to Write a Song (Without You), also happens to be incredibly catchy without veering too far into overly emotional territory. I dare you not to get it stuck in your head.

The film is irresistible in its own right, a feel-good watch that will likely stick with you long after the final note has faded.