The Ballad of Wallis Island is a new British comedy-drama, written by Tim Key and Tom Basden, based on their 2007 short film The One and Only Herb McGwyer Plays Wallis Island, and directed by James Griffiths. It premiered at the Sundance Film Festival in January and was released in the UK on 30 May. 

Eccentric lottery-millionaire Charles Heath (played wonderfully awkwardly by Tim Key) lives as a virtual recluse on the remote Wallis Island. There have been two major passions in his life: his wife, Marie, who died five years previously; and the folk duo McGwyer Mortimer, who Charles and Marie loved, but who had split up around the same time.

At the beginning of the film, Herb McGwyer (Tom Basden) arrives on the island on a small boat, ready for the concert he has been booked to play. He is met by Charles, who takes him to his house to settle in and prepare himself for the ‘small’ gig. Clearly something is amiss. Herb is uncomfortable with his host’s continual questioning about the McGwyer Mortimer days – he is now a solo artist and wants to concentrate on his new style. And then Nell Mortimer (Carey Mulligan) arrives, husband in tow, ready to play ‘their’ concert.

It is clear that they have been told different things, and they are being paid different amounts for the gig, however their motivations for accepting were the same. They both need the money: Herb needs to finance his next solo album with a view to resurrecting his flagging career; Nell, who has given up the music business and is making and selling Chutney in farmers markets in Portland Oregon, simply needs cash.

And so the stage is set. Well actually, it isn’t. There isn’t really a stage. In fact there isn’t really a venue – just a pebble beach. And there isn’t really an audience – just Charles.

This is a film about looking back on something that once was, but can never be again, and the need to move forward in life. In some ways, all three of the main characters stopped, or at the very least faltered, five years previously. It is a film about love and loss. And ultimately, it is a film about hope.

This is not a laugh-out-loud comedy, although there are some very funny moments. It is a film about broken people, each trying to find a way forward. I very much enjoyed the music; I enjoyed spending time with these three people; and the rather sentimental ending was perfect!

The Ballad of Wallis Island is funny, and sad, and ultimately a very rewarding watch. Go see it!

(Incidentally, if you are interested in seeing the original 25-minute short that inspired the film, click here, but if I were you I would watch the full film first).