By Rachel Galvin

Rick Power (played by Paul Rudd) is unfulfilled. He drudges through life as a wedding singer with his mates in a band called “Bride and Groove.” He gave up his passion 15 years ago when he abandoned his music career in earnest and moved to Ireland with his wife and daughter to accommodate his wife’s career. He lives day to day attempting to make it through, trying not to reveal the truth that was hidden inside him long ago.

When he meets Danny Wilson (played by Nick Jonas), his life begins to change. Wilson is still considered a star, but has lost much of his sparkle. Once part of a boy band, he hasn’t come up with anything new in his career for quite some time and people are starting to talk.

A spontaneous and sauced up jam session with his new buddy Power puts the pep back in his step. But his inspiration comes to him a little too literally, as he steals Power’s song to make his own.

When Power discovers the betrayal, he takes action and all of the feelings he had bottled up come pouring out, as he battles to fight for his song and get his life back.

The film starts slowly, and the more it rolls along, the better it gets, becoming more multi-layered, as we discover that Power is not the only one conflicted in the situation. 

As actors, Rudd and Jones really chew up this material and make it their own, and there is a lot in the characters and their relationship to work with. They come across as genuine and emotions run deep. The film elicits laughs and some tears, and leaves the audience singing the catchy song in question for days to come. 

Director John Carney, known for such movies as “Sing Street” and others, has created some memorable moments and given these actors something a little different to add to their repertoire.

The movie was shown at the Olympia Theater for the Miami Film Festival on April 18 and it opens theatrically on June 5.