Power Ballad (2026)
Directed by John Carney
When Rick, a past-his-prime wedding singer, meets fading boy-band star Danny 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.
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26 films that influenced Power Ballad
What critics say influenced Power Ballad
Es cierto que Letras robadas no posee el impacto renovador de Once ni la vitalidad de Sing Street…
The Irish filmmaker has carved a niche in music-driven dramedies ever since 2007’s Once.
The spark lighting up films like Sing Street and especially Once comes from kindred spirits finding each other and turning that bond into sublime music.
Since breaking out internationally with his micro-budget indie Once (2006), his films have largely remained in the same comfort zone, rarely deviating from stories about the power of music bringing people together.
Power Ballad is co-written and directed by John Carney, whose Once was an original, unrepeatable musical gem, very nearly matched by the sweetly nostalgic Sing Street.
From the iconic, Oscar-winning “Falling Slowly,” from 2007’s Once…
Es cierto que Letras robadas no posee el impacto renovador de Once ni la vitalidad de Sing Street…
That niche became mainstream following his best film, Sing Street, which is widely regarded as one of 2016’s best.
…very nearly matched by the sweetly nostalgic Sing Street. Like Sing Street, Power Ballad nicely blends musical fantasy with reality.
The spark lighting up films like Sing Street and especially Once comes from kindred spirits finding each other and turning that bond into sublime music.
…all lacking the exhilarating imagination of Sing Street or the exciting spunkiness of Begin Again…
Power Ballad may not hit No. 1 in my heart the way Once and Sing Street did.
I’ll watch Keira Knightley leave a concert hall in Begin Again as her ex-boyfriend performs her song to a rapturous ovation.
If you love Once, Begin Again, and Sing Street, then have no fear as Carney and company deliver another toe-tapping wonder that continues to showcase Carney as one of the heartfelt, caring filmmakers working today.
…the tender, heartfelt “Lost Stars” from 2013’s Begin Again…
Like his 2013 hit Begin Again, Carney once again pairs an established actor with a pop star.
This so clearly should’ve played out in a similar fashion to Begin Again, where we follow their working relationship as they slowly build this power ballad together.
It’s easily the most mainstream film Carney has ever done, and with Rudd and Jonas it could surpass Begin Again (which I love, so sue me) as his highest-grossing effort…
The flop of Carney’s immediate Once follow-up, the zany comedy Zonad (2009), is likely another key reason he now seems reluctant to stray from a familiar formula.
It’s no wonder the film repeats it ad nauseam in That Thing You Do! fashion to replicate Rick’s unending torture over its ear-worm status.
Power Ballad is blessed with an in-universe hit single that, like “That Thing You Do” or KPop Demon Hunters’ “Golden,” sounds like it could be one in real life.
Paul Rudd leaves the broad humor of “Anchorman” behind to blend humor and heart à la his work in “The 40-Year-Old Virgin” or “I Love You, Man.”
Anyone who remembers his memorable attempts to “slap da bass” in I Love You, Man will be pleased to see Rudd handling a guitar with confidence…
«Te amo, hermano» («I Love You, Man») de 2009; ambas con la presencia de Paul Rudd (la segunda lo tiene como protagonista) y con la música jugando un papel preponderante.
And in previous flicks like ROLE MODELS, I LOVE YOU MAN, and even DINNER FOR SCHMUCKS, Rudd is part of a great “bromance”, tis time with “for real” pop star Jonas as Danny Wilson (nice inside “naming job” as this was the title character in a late 40s Sinatra film).
Paul Rudd is great in a buddy comedy (see I Love You, Man, The 40-Year-Old Virgin, and everybody’s favorite cringe comedy, Friendship)…
I knew Rudd could sing from previous appearances in Anchorman, I Love You, Man, and Friendship.
The most pivotal scene in Miloš Forman’s 1984 musical epic Amadeus has the young and arrogant Mozart take the old, staid Salieri’s “March of Welcome” and, with a few flourishes, transform it into the jaunty “Non più andrai.”
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…for a while, Power Ballad almost plays like a platonic version of one of Richard Linklater’s Before romances.
…in a comically incompetent wrestling match that kind of resembles Hugh Grant and Colin Firth going at it in Bridget Jones’s Diary…
On Meyers, rather than any one film
Carney has become a sort of Irish version of Nancy Meyers for working-class dreamers…
On Coppola, rather than any one film
Every filmmaker worth their salt has their recurring obsessions, whether it’s the confines of privilege (Sofia Coppola), symmetry and pastels (Wes Anderson) or naked bare feet (you know who).
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On Spielberg, rather than any one film
The same way you can spot a Steven Spielberg film by the wide-eyed close-ups…
Steven Spielberg is still exploring aliens.
On Anderson, rather than any one film
Every filmmaker worth their salt has their recurring obsessions, whether it’s the confines of privilege (Sofia Coppola), symmetry and pastels (Wes Anderson) or naked bare feet (you know who).
Wes Anderson and Robert Eggers have instantly recognizable styles.