The Ballad of Wallis Island
The Ballad of Wallis Island opens with famed folk singer Herb McGywer (Tom Basden) arriving on the titular, barely populated island. Once part of a somewhat successful duet in the late 2000s before going solo, he’s been hired by millionaire superfan Charles (Tim Key) to play a private gig for a substantial fee. What McGywer doesn’t know yet, though, is that Charles has also booked his former singing partner and ex-lover Nell Mortimer (Carey Mulligan), whom he hasn’t seen in almost a decade. Despite some initial awkwardness, the pair’s creative spark is soon rekindled, with Herb forced to confront feelings from his past. Although the premise is a familiar one, there’s so much heart poured into the performances that it’s impossible not to be won over by this charming comedy co-written by Basden and Key.
McGywer is the quintessential image of an indie songwriter hanging on to his last threads of fame. While his brash attitude initially paints him as confrontational and bitter, there’s a lot of lingering pain and regret underneath the rockstar persona that he’s created for himself. Basden plays the part wonderfully. His perpetual bemusement is the perfect comedic counterpoint to the island’s absurdly rural ways of life, where Calippos and Peanut Butter Cups are completely unknown entities. Key manifests this happy-go-lucky sensibility through an almost non-stop barrage of playful puns and clever gags that will have audiences wryly smiling along. Mulligan is likewise excellent, though she isn’t given as much to do as her comedian co-stars.
Basden’s musical chops are given ample opportunity to shine. Not only did he compose the songs himself, but he performs them with a genuine sincerity. Paired with delicate harmonies from Mulligan, the songs are on par with those in Inside Llewyn Davis. The heartfelt authenticity of the songwriting extends to the rest of the film, lending a surprising amount of tenderness amongst the light-hearted laughs.
As unexpectedly moving as Wallis Island can be, it still adheres to a formulaic structure. Audiences know where the narrative is heading, even if the plot occasionally takes a different route to get there. A romantic subplot between Charles and the island’s sole shopkeeper (Sian Clifford) likewise feels underdeveloped.
The Ballad of Wallis Island may not push the boundaries of genre, but it hits all the right notes to become an endearing little gem.
Andrew Murray
The Ballad of Wallis Island is released nationwide on 30th May 2025.
Watch the trailer for The Ballad of Wallis Island here:
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