The Ballad of Wallis Island

Director: James Griffiths

Herb McGwyer (Tom Basden), once half of the folk music duo McGwyer Mortimer, is now a solo artist invited to Wallis Island by Charles Heath (Tim Key) to perform an intimate gig. What he isn’t aware of, is that super fan, Heath, has also invited McGywer’s former partner Nell (Carey Mulligan) to an impromptu reforming of the duo. Nell’s arrival is a shock and soon the trip becomes about trying to come to terms with the past, loss and moving on, not only for Nell and Hugh, but also for Charles who has his own reasons for wanting to see McGywer Mortimer perform one more time.

This is a big warm hug of a film. A study in loss, love and coming to terms with a future that was different from the one you’d imagined. It’s delivered in the most bitter sweet of comedies, full of laughs, that often quickly pivots into a thoughtful and melancholic moment.

What makes work, is its four perfectly judged performances. Basden as the self centered, self important “artist”. Carey Mulligan’s Nell, perhaps the most adjusted and lingers in the past less than the others. Sian Clifford as local shop owner, Amanda, who brings a charm in her relationship with Charles. But it is Tim Key who steals the show. He is the heart and warmth of the film. While Charles spends much of the time talking and talking, with a nervousness and silliness that you’d expect from a super fan with his heroes. But all of it is a cover for a hurt and sadness, and he hopes that memories from the past can make him come to terms with his sadness.

It’s a story that draws you in with its warmth, heart and humour. It balances its humour with a deepness of people dealing with loss and a want for what once was, while perhaps missing what could be.

The Ballad of Wallis Island is a bittersweet comedy. It’s a story about love, loss and a longing for what could have been. It’s well written and brilliantly performed by its ensemble cast. With Tim Key’s Charles the beating heart of the film. It’s full of warmth and heart and while there is sadness at its core, this is a big warm hug of a film