Power Ballad Sparks Ownership Debate at SXSW

At SXSW, Power Ballad casts Paul Rudd and Nick Jonas in a music-dramedy about a wedding-band frontman who learns a song he wrote has become a hit for a fading star, prompting a globe-trotting quest to prove authorship while navigating family and friendship; Rudd delivers emotional weight, Jonas’s performance is more uneven, and the film balances heartfelt moments with comedic gaps, offering a feel-good ride for music lovers despite flaws.