The Ballad of Wallis Island

Cloaked in comedy, lies a perfect drama about forgetting and moving on without our past. This charming film is directed by James Griffiths, who writes a script written by its two protagonists, Tom Basden and Tim Key.

It's a truly charming diversion that covers the pain with a sincere touch of British comedy wrapped in charming characters with whom you can identify in certain aspects and be invited to this concert of feelings and emotions that the film promises. It steers clear of clichés in the name of honesty and seriousness. This charming British comedy shows the full range of human relationships, but takes special care to highlight the good in each one, even if they are shrouded in grief and sadness in the process of reunion.

It's a journey toward healing and the true soul hidden within friendship and admiration. Bathed in its wonderful melody, its impeccable soundtrack, and landscapes that fill the screen with its superb photography, it's a staging of great moments, a heartfelt comedy about loss, loneliness, and moving forward, captured in impeccable performances and truly satisfying characters who hide life's imperfection in an encounter that invites emotion and gratification at every moment.

A film worth every second, an independent pastime with all the British cinema style that fits so well in this type of genre.

I had the absolute pleasure of seeing this recently at the Phoenix Film Festival. As a film enthusiast, I can confidently say that "The Ballad of Wallis Island" is an absolute gem that transcends the typical boundaries of romance and musical drama. Directed by the visionary filmmaker James Griffiths, this film invites us into a world where nostalgia meets whimsy, and love is as complex as the harmonies of the songs that resonate throughout the story.

The script is rich with witty banter and heartfelt moments that will have you laughing one minute and reaching for the tissues the next.

The supporting cast adds depth to the story as well. The eccentric millionaire, played brilliantly by a Tim Key, provides both comic relief and a touch of unpredictability, while the quirky island locals bring an authentic charm that enhances the film's atmosphere.

Set against the breathtaking backdrop of a secluded island owned by a delightfully eccentric millionaire, who brings two former bandmates and lovers to reunite for a one-off performance.

The script is rich with witty banter and heartfelt moments that will have you laughing one minute and reaching for the tissues the next.

In a world where most love stories feel cliched and predictable, "The Ballad of Wallis Island" stands out as a refreshing reminder of the beauty of second chances and the intricate dance of love and art. It's a movie that lingers in your mind long after the credits roll, leaving you humming snippets of its enchanting soundtrack.

The second I saw the location settings I knew that this film is going to be a great one. A simple story with some great performances especially by Charles and Amanda, they nailed their characters with their unique style of innocence as people cut off from the rest of the world. Adding to that, the soundtrack took it to another level.

If you love movies with minimal characters happening at a remote location and with great soundtrack then you'll definitely love this. You might even cry a little bit if you're an emotional person, I mean I did when Herb saw those paper clippings and found out why Charles was doing what he did. A really heartwarming film with a touch of light humour, I definitely recommend you guys to watch this.

(transcript of my youtube review)

The surprise screening at the Glasgow Film Festival movie called The Ballad of Wallace Island and this is the one that ended up being my absolute favourite of the festival.

It tells the story of Charles who lives alone on a remote island Wallace Island He is a huge fan of a folk musician duo Herb Maguire and Nell His ex-partner Nell played by Carey Mulligan Tom Basden plays Herb They were a folk duo they broke up Herb went on to do a solo career Charles the guy in the middle here he came into some money and basically is paying them to put on a private show on the beach of the island he lives in said island the titular titular island wallace island essentially that's the plot of the movie

Now you may not think that's anything to write home about but this movie is so so so good it's written by Tim Key who plays plays Charles the kind of the main character the guy who lives on the island directed by James Griffiths

It reminded me a lot of the Ricky Gervais Netflix show Afterlife with the kind of the style of comedy the blend of comedy and heartfelt drama the visuals are very crisp and very clean and that reminded me of like an Apple TV show like the way it's shot the way it looks it's very crisp it's very clean.

It's very kind of idyllic although it's a you know it doesn't say it's a Scottish island but you know it's an island in the UK so you know there's various weather and waves that you're dealing with script and the performances are not perfect especially Tim Key especially the character of Charles Well you know he wrote it so he's saying his own dialogue So it is going to be not perfect It's just it's got such heart and soul and pathos to it.

The dialogue back and forth the banter back and forth between the characters You know it's comedy comedy comedy comedy emotional you know dagger comedy comedy comedy comedy emotional bit you know I mean that as a compliment you know that's that's the kind of the formula throughout the movie the songs as well the kind of the songs that the fictional folk duo sing like I really hope they release that because I would absolutely buy that album the songs were great it legit had me in tears both from laughing and from crying

Also apologies to the festival volunteer who was unlucky enough to be sat next to me tuning the screening because she had to put up with said tears and snotters and me blowing my nose and laughing one minute and then crying the next minute and I could actually tell she was looking at me at times so apologies random festival volunteer but don't blame me blame this wee gem of a movie i think it's going to be getting a cinema release in the uk i'll link to details below in the description as and when i get any of that info um i wouldn't be surprised if this ends up being my favorite movie not just of the festival but my favorite movie of as I said it was the surprise screening at the festival the day that I went to see it it was a long day I'd already seen 3 or 4 movies that day I'd done a couple of interviews as well I was absolutely shattered and I was ready to call it quits and just go home and skip this screening because as I said I was shattered and it's a surprise screening so I had no idea what movie we were going to be getting shown I'm so so so glad that I stayed and stayed to watch this 9 out of ten for The Ballad of Wallace Island- absolutel yone hundred percent- go and see this when it comes out it is bloody bloody brilliant an absolute wee gem of a movie so yeah well and everyone involved and again apologies to the festival worker who put up with me crying.

This is a gem.

It's not done good box office but may find its place on streaming channels. It won the audience award at Sundance and I can see why because it's the very essence of laugh out loud funny, coupled with truly British feel good.

Executive-produced by most of its cast including stars and writers Tim Key, and Tom Basden, who also wrote and performed the music - a critical role because its about an old Folk Rock duo - Carey Mulligan and director James Griffiths (Bad Sisters).

It's based on a 2007 short (by the same team) and tells the full story of how the aforementioned duo (Mulligan and Baden - called McGwyer and Mortimer) find themselves on a remote Welsh Island playing a gig for a reclusive Lottery winner - Tim Key as Charles.

Key has a ball as the slightly eccentric loner who simply worships McGwyer and Mortimer who had split up a decade earlier because the relationship stepped beyond the music itself.

He's got money to burn and nothing to do so he can fancily fund a one night only reunion. Needless to say not all goes to plan.

The chemistry between the three principal characters is superb: Kooky Charles, curmudgeonly McGwyer and wistful Morrison. Each riff off the other in unexpected ways and the whole is most certainly greater even than its excellent sum of parts.

In essence it's a movie about loneliness. Charles is single and lost in his life. McGwyer, too, is lost in his career and aggressively trying to feed his ego, having essentially 'sold-out'.

Only Morrison (Mulligan) has a sense of balance in her life and carries off her part beautifully and sympathetically.

It's genuinely uproariously funny in places and genuinely touching in others and adds up to a glorious 90 minutes in the cinema that we shared with 6 others. Shame.