The Ballad of Wallis Island

One of the best films I have seen in a long time. I could watch this again and again. Heartwarming, funny, great cinematography, great script, great acting. Pulls at your heart strings just the right amount and funny all the way through. Great character development without any lags. Pace is spot on you almost wish it was longer. So good. Storyline is captivating. Scenery is beautiful and so many moments where you wish you were there. I have zero negative feedback on this. I hope more people see this. Excellent film especially in a time where all the movies seem to be about war or violence. Do not pass this one up.

This movie is set on the fictitious Wallis Island off the British coast but was actually filmed on the Wales shore, making it look like it could have been an island. Aerial shots of an island are actually Ramsey Island, a nature preserve off the coast of Wales.

Tim Key, a co-writer, is Charles Heath living on Wallis Island. He is a big, big fan of a music duo that were popular in the 1990s and early 2000s but broke up. He now has a solo career and she moved to the Portland area of the US, and is married. It is approaching five years since Charles' wife passed away, he wanted to do something special in her honor.

So he hired the male of the duo, Tom Basden (also co-writer) as Herb McGwyer, to travel to his small island for a one night "concert" of fewer than 100 fans. In truth, it was only him, 1 is fewer than 100!

However unbeknownst to Herb, Charles also hired the female member of the duo, Carey Mulligan as Nell Mortimer. She also shows up, via small boat, with her husband.

It is a quirky, often funny story and the actors are all great in their roles. It seems that nothing goes as planned and this creates opportunities for an entertaining storyline.

My wife and I were entertained, we watched it streaming on Prime.

The Ballad of Wallis Island is a quiet gem that blends dry humor with deep emotion. At its heart, it's a romantic film - not just in the traditional sense, but in its celebration of love, loyalty, and human connection. The characters may start from very different places, but their arcs are believable and rewarding, unfolding with care and subtlety.

The film handles grief and pride with nuance, and never feels manipulative or forced. It's slow-paced in the best way: giving space to linger, to feel, and to reflect. Poignant, charming, and at times laugh-out-loud funny, this is one of those rare films that stays with you long after the credits roll.

Highly recommended for those who appreciate sincere, character-driven storytelling.

The Ballad of Wallis Island is a funny and uplifting look at the awkward space somewhere between love found and lost. This is for those who appreciate a cerebral drama: little happens but much is revealed.

The premise is a little outlandish but the film unfolds into a delightfully realistic take on utterly British sensibility. Much is left unseen and unsaid with the story simmering beneath the surface, relying on nuanced performances from the tiny cast.

If you're a fan of Tim Key already, you'll enjoy seeing his humour committed to film. There are segments where you may feel that you've stumbled into an intimate corner at the Edinburgh Fringe. If you're new here, relax and enjoy it like a comforting Chicken Xacuti on a chilly night.

The film is musically-driven with Tom Basden and Carey Mulligan working together harmoniously to balance the comic relief and poignant undertones. If you enjoyed Richard Ayoade's Submarine, you'll like this. If you loved this and haven't seen Submarine, you've got the next film on your watchlist.

Little moments of hilarious physical comedy run alongside the witty dialogue and undercurrents of melancholy, which all come together to leave you with a warm smile and lingering sense of quiet.

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.