John Carney's 'Power Ballad' Examines Songwriter vs. Star

In John Carney's new film 'Power Ballad,' Paul Rudd plays Rick Power, an American wedding singer in Dublin whose song is stolen by a former boy-band star, Danny Wilson (Nick Jonas). The film explores the tension between unrecognized talent and commercial success. Rick, a devoted family man in Crumlin, discovers his song has become a No. 1 hit for Danny, but he receives no credit or money. With his bandmate Sandy (Peter McDonald), Rick confronts Danny in Los Angeles. The film highlights the difference between a songwriter and a performer, but critics note it avoids deeper psychological exploration, favoring sentimentality. Carney's previous works include 'Once' (2007) and 'Begin Again' (2013).