Music has a way of tying us to a time or place. An unforgettable gig, shared with a friend. A first dance at a wedding. A loved one’s personal favourite. School days, holidays and special occasions all have their own soundtrack; a piece of music that brings a smile to your lips or makes your eyes water in remembrance. It’s a powerful thing to experience.
Herb McGwyer (Tom Basden) used to make music that moved people, back when he performed in a duo with Nell Mortimer (Carey Mulligan). Now, his solo career is seriously in need of some funds and Nell has given it all up to make chutney. So, when Charles Heath (Tim Key) offers the pair hundreds of thousands of pounds to perform a gig on Wallis Island, both accept unquestioningly. But the days spent on this remote Welsh island have a transformational effect on all involved. Music really does have a power of its own.
James Griffiths directs, whilst Basden and Key have written the script, based on their own short film. The writing is so sharp and so funny, you’ll almost struggle to catch your breath. Charles, in particular, is such a hilarious character, purposefully mis-pronouncing his lines or making terribly timed puns. It’s a story that feels universal – as the film deals with nostalgia and loss via music – yet the jokes are uniquely British. (There’s a particular reference to Harold Shipman that had many in the Glasgow Film Festival audience choking on their sauvignon.)
The performances are all excellent and the chemistry between the cast is palpable. Tim Key somehow manages to make Charles the most infuriating, hilarious and empathetic character all at the same time. Tom Basden gives you every inch the jaded star you’d expect – he’s huffy and demanding; but ultimately bruised by his experiences in the industry. His duets with Carey Mulligan’s Nell are genuinely beautiful to listen to. Nell, in contrast to her brusque former partner, is gentle and nurturing. Sian Clifford also appears in a supporting role as local shop owner, Amanda, a role that gives rise to equal parts comedy and romance.
At the heart of it all are themes of grieving and memory. Charles is unable to detatch himself from his notion of who McGwyer and Mortimer once were, because it keeps him in the cosy nostalgic glow of a period of time in his life when he was happy. Herb is mourning is lack of solo success and finds himself battling unexpected jealousies when he realises that Nell no longer misses their former life. It’s the music that links the three leads, but they all have a different connection to it and a different sense of the role it played in their lives. It’s an interesting take on the notion that music is something that binds us together. There’s a scene on the local beach, where Nell encourages them to write their hopes and dreams for the future on some lanterns she’s bought, and you can tell that Herb, in particular, is struggling to see what the future might hold for him, so wrapped up is he in the past.
The soundtrack, like the film itself, is warm and folksy. For some, it might all feel a bit twee and on the nose but there’s something so heartwarming about it all that you’ll be willing to overlook that. Basden and Mulligan both have excellent singing voices and they blend together beautifully. Their love songs – and the on screen chemistry they share whilst performing them – are genuinely gorgeous. So much so, that some performances may have a few bottom lips trembling. And that’s what is so great about this film – the comedy is razor sharp but the drama that unfolds is genuinely upsetting. Both the writing and the performances know how to maximise both elements for the most amount of impact.
If you’re looking for a genuinely entertaining bit of British cinema, showcasing the striking Welsh coastline and phenomenal local talent, The Ballad of Wallis Island is a must see. It’s gentle when it needs to be, utterly hilarious and unapologetically good for the soul.
The Ballad of Wallis Island was the Surprise Film for the 2025 Glasgow Film Festival. It’s due for release in US cinemas on March 28 and UK cinemas on May 30.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HTi-e20yVNs
Editor at Moviescramble. European cinema, grisly thrillers and show stopping musicals are my bag. Classic Hollywood Cinema is comfort food. Spare time is heavily dependent on a lot of pizza and power ballads.
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