Power Ballad Debuts at SXSW, Rudd & Jonas Tackle Song
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- Power ad premiered Saturday at SXSW’s Narrative Spotlight, directed by John Carney and co‑written with Peter McDonald.
- Paul Rudd stars as Rick, a wedding‑band frontman in Ireland whose decades‑old song becomes a chart hit when performed by pop star Danny (Nick Jonas).
- Nick Jonas appears as Danny, a fading pop sensation who sings Rick’s song, triggering Rick’s globe‑hopping quest to prove authorship.
- WME is the film’s sales agent.
- John Carney directed and co‑wrote the film, framing it as a commentary on artistic ownership amid generative AI, as highlighted by SXSW’s festival context.
- The film received mixed feedback, with praise for its musical numbers and Rudd’s family‑man performance but criticism for limited jokes and under‑developed emotional material for Jonas’s character.
- Power ad runs 1 hour 38 minutes and includes original songs such as “How to Write a Song Without You,” performed by both leads.
Why it matters: The film offers musicians a feel‑good narrative that validates creative authorship, resonating with artists in a crowded digital landscape, while its limited humor may curb audience appeal and box‑office returns; its SXSW debut also highlights the festival’s platform for genre‑blending works, but mixed reviews could dampen distributor confidence.
