Power Ballad - A rockin’ end to DIFF

The Dublin International Film Festival (DIFF for short) came to a close last Sunday, with the premiere of John Carney’s Power Ballad at the Bord Gáis Energy Theatre. I was lucky enough to attend for the first time and can’t wait to see what’s in store for the 25th anniversary next year. Many of the cast and crew were in attendance, bringing the festival to an end with style. 

Now, to stop myself from going on and on about the event, let’s talk about the film. John Carney (Sing Street and Once) did a remarkable job of crafting yet another engaging, feel-good film which will have you laughing out loud in the theatre before tearing up at Rick’s (Paul Rudd) genuine desperation to prove himself to his wife and daughter. Rudd’s performance is stellar (along with the rest of the cast), as he connects with the character’s emotionally turbulent journey in a humorous yet authentic fashion. 

The script was original and inspiring, coupled with the standout performances that drew genuine laughs from the audience. I genuinely can’t remember the last time I found it so easy to laugh along with a film in theatres, a realisation many seemed to share following the film. It’s filled with Irish witticisms, maybe a few too many, but I can’t complain as it wouldn’t be out of place to hear while walking to the shop. 

The story is set mostly in Ireland and filmed entirely here. They did a fantastic job of trying to stage a mountainside house to be Danny’s (Nick Jonas) L.A. mansion, but those classic dreary Irish skies and luscious foliage stood out from a mile away. It’s a breath of fresh air, especially after my recent viewing of Adam & Paul, another great Irish film, but one that left me disheartened to see how recognisable the current state of the city is over 20 years on. Overall, Power Ballad gave me a new appreciation for the city, though it’s still pretty jarring to recognise almost every location from my commute to work. 

Now I’ll try to keep this short enough. Attending the premiere was an incredible opportunity, and honestly gave me even more of a drive to pursue a career in film. I got the chance to meet a lot of the cast (Paul Rudd and Nick Jonas included), and had a great time listening to John Carney discuss the film on the red carpet to the dozens of reporters vying for his attention. One of only a handful of photos I was able to snap at the event is the one shown below, but I'm happy with the energy of the crowd it captures.

Paul Rudd giving an interview at the premiere of 'Power Ballad' - 35mm

It was a hell of a day since I (as usual) planned to do everything, everywhere, all at once. I attended the Silent Shorts showing at The Lighthouse earlier in the day, and was delighted to finally see a Buster Keaton film on the big screen, especially after practically writing an essay about his impact on cinema. The trio of films (Cops with Buster Keaton, Never Weaken with Harold Lloyd and Two Tars with Laurel & Hardy) were shown with a live accompaniment by the incredible Stephen Horne, which really elevated the films to a whole new level. 

I’ll leave the other films I got the chance to see during the festival for another post, as I’m already beginning to go on a bit of a tangent here. I can’t recommend Power Ballad enough if you’re looking to give your dreams a second chance, or you’re just in the mood for a good laugh. Either way, I’m going to go blast some 1980s hits on the radio and I suggest you do the same.