The Ballad of Wallis Island, 2025.
Directed by James Griffiths.
Starring Tom Basden, Tim Key, Carey Mulligan, Sian Clifford, Akemnji Ndifornyen, Steve Marsh, Luka Downie, and Kerrie Thomason.
SYNOPSIS:
Eccentric lottery winner Charles lives alone on a remote island but dreams of hiring his favorite musician, Herb McGwyer, to play an exclusive, private gig. Unbeknownst to Herb, Charles has also hired Herb’s ex-bandmate and ex-girlfriend, Nell, with her new husband in tow, to perform the old favorites. As tempers flare and old tensions resurface, the stormy weather traps them all on the island and Charles desperately looks for a way to salvage his dream gig.
One might assume if someone was living on a beautiful remote Welsh island in the middle of nowhere, free from society and technology (to the extent that the owner of the only store in town has no idea what Reese’s Peanut Butter Cups are), but is wealthy enough to fund a private concert for their favorite band, that would be the dream. For Charles (Tim Key, also part of this terrific, on-the-same-page screenwriting duo), it’s deeper than that, having lost a partner years ago who was a mega-fan alongside him. In James Griffiths’ The Ballad of Wallis Island, ensuring it happens is everything that matters.
Charles isn’t externally a sad sap or downer, though. If anything, his every waking second is dedicated to lightening the mood through some offbeat, zany, or literal-minded joke. His humor is also a coping mechanism for that internal pain that, hopefully, this concert will ease. However, there are some logistical issues with his plan. He knows it, considering he doesn’t tell McGwyer Mortimer’s Herb McGwyer (one half of the band, played by screenwriting partner Tom Basden) that his other former half, both in music and life, Nell Mortimer (Carey Mulligan) that this would be a reunion and that she would be bringing along her new significant other Michael (Akemnji Ndifornyen) to the island. Struggling solo artist Herb would have presumably denied the offer on the spot based on his reaction when he learned the news.
Through kindness and humor, Charles tries to diffuse the lingering bad blood that stems from Herb spontaneously breaking off into becoming a solo rock artist, accusing Nell of wanting to be “mainstream” with no self-awareness that his career is currently seen as a joke, despite the jovial enthusiasm ringing from his superfan. As a matter of fact, he is only doing this gig since it’s the only way for him to get enough money to tour and stay moderately relevant (there is a new album coming out, complete with a ridiculous cover). He also berates her for having transitioned into a more mundane life away from the music scene, almost refusing to believe she is happy. Anything for the money, though. Herb starts to work through it and begins singing again with Nell (Michael heads off on an island tour for birdwatching), which reignites feelings within both.
“You belong together,” says Charles.
However, what’s compelling (and devastating for Herb) is that Nell’s reawakened passion is solely for the art and a reclamation of those songs. It strikes up a thoughtful dialogue around art and how it doesn’t mean something different from consumer to consumer but also from artist to artist. The Ballad of Wallis Island is also a film that threatens to devolve into clichés but smartly has the sense to sidestep those traps even as it comes dangerously close to falling in. That’s not to say it entirely escapes them, but there are clever subversions from them. It’s also the rare adaptation of a short film that doesn’t necessarily feel like one since James Griffiths, Tim Key, and Tom Basden have fleshed the story out organically with acute observations about life and art.
Don’t get lost in all the talk of drama; this is also a hilarious movie. Nearly everything Charles says or does is an amusing riff on whatever situation might be inconveniencing Herb or the type of egregious remark about something that is too stupidly silly not to get a laugh (such as dryly explaining the obvious that the number plaques he has symbolizes his winning lottery numbers). Meanwhile, his appreciation for Nell is openly and honestly less (she and Herb aren’t getting paid equally for the gig) and sometimes creepy but harmless and funny, assuming that the lock of hair he once bought online was actually hers. The difficult balance act accomplished here is he also treats her with respect and as an essential part of the collaboration that brought him and his past partners such joy.
Underneath the jokes and willingness to make this concert happen as a tribute to that late partner is also loneliness and insecurity regarding starting over. That single-mom, one-stop-shop store owner (Sian Clifford) who has no clue about Reeses, let alone popular music? Charles has a crush on her but is nervous to express that. He could also be struggling to move on from the past, just like Herb. As such, The Ballad of Wallis Island, with its perfectly modulated polar opposite performances from insightful screenwriting duo Tim Key and Tom Basden, quirky British humor, majestic shots of the island (especially beachside surrounded by various pebble formations), and catchy folk-rock songs, also builds to a powerful emotional release.
Flickering Myth Rating – Film: ★ ★ ★ / Movie: ★ ★ ★ ★
Robert Kojder is a member of the Chicago Film Critics Association, Critics Choice Association, and Online Film Critics Society. He is also the Flickering Myth Reviews Editor. Check here for new reviews and follow my BlueSky or Letterboxd
