My ★★★★ review of Power Ballad (2026) on @letterboxd: https://boxd.it/eIdzCN
#powerballad #265moviereview #movies
A ★★★★ review of Power Ballad (2026)

In what is sure to be one of the nicest movies of the year, Paul Rudd plays Rick Power, a lead singer in a Dublin wedding band. He has given up on any thoughts of glory as he lives with his wife and daughter in Ireland. Danny Wilson is a former boy band performer that is trying to launch a solo career and by chance the two meet when Rick’s band plays a castle wedding for one of Danny’s childhood friends. The two hang out for the evening and Rick shares a song that he wrote, “How to write a

AFCC member Jonathan Hickman reviews #PowerBallad saying "The songs remain strong, the performances committed, and the themes familiar, but the storytelling lacks the authenticity that elevated "Once" and "Sing Street" into something special" https://www.times-herald.com/arts_and_community/reviews/power-ballad/article_cd3a45fe-9cca-4bed-b2ae-c537c9dadff4.html #AFCC

Fire Behind The Film: Can John Carney’s ‘Power Ballad’ Connect With Moviegoers Despite No YouTube Phenoms Or Jump Scares?
#News #JohnCarney #Lionsgate #NickJonas #PaulRudd #PowerBallad

https://deadline.com/2026/06/fire-behind-the-film-can-john-carney-power-ballad-thrive-1236942446/

Fire Behind The Film: Can John Carney’s ‘Power Ballad’ Connect With Moviegoers Despite No YouTube Phenoms Or Jump Scares?

John Carney's 'Power Ballad' Strike A Chord With Moviegoers Despite No YouTube Phenoms Or Jump Scares?

Deadline
‘Carolina Caroline’ & ‘The Last Whale Singer’ New In Moderate Release, ‘Power Ballad’ Expands — Specialty Preview

Romantic crime thriller 'Carolina Caroline' and animated 'The Last Whale Singer' are new indie films opening this weekend as 'Power Ballad' expands.

Deadline
Even Paul Rudd Is Tired of Being Typecast as Paul Rudd

He is Hollywood’s most affable and bankable everyman. It’s just that sometimes … he really wishes he weren’t.

The Hollywood Reporter
John Carney Commends Nick Jonas for Not Strong-Arming the ‘Power Ballad’ Soundtrack

The filmmaker behind the Oscar-winning 'Once' is "grateful" Jonas took a laid-back approach, offering to help with the music only if needed.

The Hollywood Reporter

Too many stereotypes, predictable, banal.
Couldn't they at least try real singing?

Power Ballad, John Carney

5/10

#powerballad #irishmovie #FilmMastodon

AFCC member Mike McKinney (
@lastonetoleave
) reviews #PowerBallad, #Tuner, #Backrooms, #Pressure, #TheBreadwinner, #MissYouLoveYou, and Propeller One-Way Night Coach lastonetoleavethetheatre.blogspot.com/2026… #AFCC #MovieReview #ForTheLoveOfMovies