‘Power Ballad’ review: John Carney’s latest feels thin and underbaked

John Carney’s latest film, “Power Ballad,” struggles to make an impact due to its underwhelming narrative and lack of depth. Despite its promising premise, the movie fails to deliver a satisfying or memorable experience, leaving viewers with a sense that it could have been much more. This matters because Carney is known for his previous work that often explored poignant themes with a strong emotional core, so this film's shortcomings are particularly noticeable. The film’s inability to fully engage suggests a potential misstep in Carney’s storytelling approach.