Power Ballad
Dreams, music, and the songs from past lives
8 May 2026 
Russ Matthews Ever since Once (2007), it has been difficult to find a filmmaker who combines music, cinema, and Ireland quite like John Carney. From Begin Again to Sing Street, the writer/director has built a career crafting heartfelt stories that capture both the beauty of music and the soul of his homeland.
Power Ballad continues that tradition, offering another affectionate tribute to Ireland and the way music can emerge from the ordinary moments of life. Rick Power (Paul Rudd) is the lead singer of one of Dublin’s most popular wedding bands. Though each member once dreamed of fame and fortune, they now spend their nights performing at celebrations, doing their best to keep those ambitions alive through music.
Everything changes when the band performs at a wedding attended by Danny Wilson (Nick Jonas), a former boy-band star. After joining the group on stage, Danny invites Rick into an impromptu songwriting session that becomes a memorable night for both men. However, months later, Rick hears the very same song playing over the speakers at a local shopping centre—only now it has become a hit for someone else.
John Carney may now have larger budgets and internationally recognised stars at his disposal, but what continues to make his films special is his ability to ground them in genuine emotion and humanity. Rather than being overshadowed by the celebrity of Paul Rudd and Nick Jonas, both actors settle naturally into Carney’s world of flawed dreamers and hopeful musicians. Rudd, in particular, brings warmth and vulnerability to Rick, capturing the quiet ache of someone wondering if life’s opportunities have already passed him by. Jones plays to the stereotype of the long-forgotten pop star, but for this film it works on many levels.
Wrapped within the humour and charm of struggling musicians lies a deeper reflection on ambition and sacrifice. Power Ballad explores how close many people come to achieving the recognition they long for, while also revealing the personal cost that often accompanies the pursuit of fame. The film gently asks whether success is worth pursuing if it comes at the expense of integrity, relationships, or even the soul itself.
On the surface, Power Ballad appears to be a whimsical and abrupt comedy about missed opportunities and musical dreams. Yet, in John Carney’s hands, it becomes something far more poignant—a heartfelt story about rediscovering purpose and recognising that the greatest inspirations in life may have been beside us all along.
REEL DIALOGUE: What do we do with our lost dreams?
Power Ballad taps into something deeply personal for many people: the dreams we once carried and the question of whether they have been left behind forever.
Watching Rick revisit the passions of his younger years may stir audiences to reflect on their own ambitions, regrets, and unanswered “what ifs.” Yet the film also reminds us that dreams are not only about success or recognition. Sometimes they reveal deeper truths about who we are and what truly matters.
From a Christian perspective, our gifts, passions, and aspirations are not accidental. The Bible teaches that we are intentionally created by God with purpose and value.
“I praise you because I am fearfully and wonderfully made.” — Psalm 139:14
This does not mean every dream will unfold exactly as we hope, but it does remind us that our lives have meaning beyond achievement or fame. The challenge is learning to discern which dreams are worth pursuing and whether they draw us closer to the purposes God has for us.
Perhaps the best place to begin is through prayer, reflection, and engaging with the Bible—asking not only what we want from life, but what God may desire for us as well.
Reel Dialogue has entered the world of YouVersion: Download the app, dive into the plans, and engage with the Bible in a fresh and exciting way.
Reel Dialogue has entered the world of YouVersion: Download the app, dive into the plans, and engage.
