The Ballad of Wallis Island, directed by James Griffiths, is an enthralling gem that weaves collectively humor, heartache, and soulful folks music into a young cinematic expertise. Set on a fictional Welsh island, this comedy-drama follows the quirky journey of a washed-up folks musician, a grieving superfan, and a previous love reunited below sudden circumstances. With a script penned by stars Tom Basden and Tim Key, the movie expands on their 2007 quick movie with heat and wit.
The movie facilities on Herb McGwyer (Tom Basden), a folks singer whose profession has pale because the dissolution of his duo, McGwyer & Mortimer. Lured to Wallis Island by a profitable gig provide, Herb arrives anticipating a small pageant, solely to seek out himself stranded with Charles (Tim Key), a two-time lottery winner and obsessive fan who lives alone in a rambling, rustic mansion. The catch? The “gig” is a personal efficiency for Charles, who has additionally invited Herb’s former bandmate and ex-lover, Nell Mortimer (Carey Mulligan), with out warning both.
Basden’s Herb is a research in jaded vulnerability, a musician clinging to relevance whereas grappling with previous regrets. His prickly demeanor clashes delightfully with Key’s Charles, whose relentless enthusiasm and groan-worthy puns masks a profound loneliness tied to the lack of his spouse. Key, a comic and poet, imbues Charles with a mixture of social clumsiness and real heat, making him each infuriating and endearing. Their dynamic—Herb’s sarcasm bouncing off Charles’s unyielding cheer—drives a lot of the movie’s humor.
Carey Mulligan’s Nell brings a luminous depth to the trio, her efficiency radiating a quiet energy that contrasts Herb’s fragility. Now dwelling a seemingly content material life making chutney in Portland together with her new husband, Michael (Akemnji Ndifornyen), Nell is drawn again into Herb’s orbit. The chemistry between Mulligan and Basden is palpable, particularly once they sing collectively, their harmonies stirring recollections of a shared previous. The unique songs, written by Basden, are a spotlight, capturing the spirit of 2010s indie-folk music.
The screenplay, co-written by Basden and Key, deftly avoids the pitfalls of sentimentality, steering away from predictable romantic tropes. Whereas Herb and Nell’s reunion sparks stress, the movie isn’t about rekindling previous flames however about confronting the ache of transferring on.
What makes The Ballad of Wallis Island so charming is its refusal to overplay its hand. The stability of comedy and melancholy feels easy, incomes its emotional beats. Critics have praised this delicate contact, with one calling it “a giant hug of a film” that leaves you uplifted but reflective.
The Ballad of Wallis Island is a uncommon delight—a movie that celebrates the messiness of human connection by music, humor, and coronary heart. It’s not a loud awards contender, but it surely doesn’t must be. Its appeal lies in its simplicity, its skill to make you snort, cry, and hum alongside to its soulful tunes.
The Ballad Of Wallis Island arrives at Luna Palace Cinemas, Thursday, Aug 28, 2025.
- Electronic mail: neill@outloudculture.com
