The Ballad of Wallis Island: Film Review
The Ballad of Wallis Island received critical acclaim at this year’s Sundance Film Festival and it’s clear to see why. What a charming delight of a film!
This British comedy stars Tim Key as eccentric lottery winner Charles, who lives alone on the remote Wallis Island. A longtime fan of the folk duo McGwyer-Mortimer, Charles pays singer-songwriter Herb (Tom Basden) to perform a one-night-only concert on the island and live in his home for a few days. Unbeknownst to Herb, Charles has also extended the same invite to his ex-girlfriend and former bandmate Nell Mortimer (Carey Milligan).
The story, based on a 2007 short film also starring and written by Key and Basden, has such an enticing premise and the way it unfolds is brilliant. It is simple, but that is no bad thing when the characters are this engaging, the script is this funny and it’s filled with this much heart. I didn’t expect a film with such a concept to bring me to tears but this is surprisingly moving – it creeps up on you and before you know it, you’re welling up!
The script saves the most hilarious lines for Key, whose dialogue is littered with puns, one-liners and pop culture references (“Dame Judi Drenched”) that the lonely Charles has clearly been saving for the next time he has company. He is the star of the show as the chatterbox who doesn’t understand social cues or when to give Herb his privacy. He is excited to have someone in this house – let alone his idol – and the too-cool-for-school Herb finds this incredibly annoying. I loved watching their relationship evolve into something resembling friendship over the course of the film.
Mulligan is sensational in everything so it is no surprise that she delivers the goods as Nell. She has moved on from music and her relationship and is happy to revisit the duo’s songs, but Herb is still hurt and angry and singing their old tunes brings up memories of their past. It’s so lovely seeing them sing together and Mulligan perform on-screen after doing so in Shame and Inside Llewyn Davis.
The Ballad of Wallis Island, directed by the short’s director James Griffiths, is heartwarming, really funny and distinctly British. It’s also a terrific showcase for comedian Key, who proves his talents for dramatic acting with his subtle yet moving performance.
In cinemas from Friday 30th May