The Ballad of Wallis Island

4/10/2025

Recapturing the past may be an enticing, seductive prospect, especially when it involves revisiting pleasant memories of days gone by. But is it realistically achievable or just wishful thinking? That’s a question posed on multiple levels in the second theatrical feature from director James Griffiths. When Charles Heath (Tim Key), a wealthy, eccentric but lonely lottery winner living by himself on a remote North Atlantic island, furtively finances a command performance of his favorite now-disbanded folk rock duo – artistic and onetime-romantic partners Herb McGwyer (Tom Basden) and Nell Mortimer (Carey Mulligan) – he hopes to relive fond memories of their once-popular musical style and recollections of the days he shared them with the love of his life. There’s just one hitch – Charles conc

5/29/2025

“Charlie” (Tim Key) lives in a big house on a small island eagerly anticipating the arrival of his musical hero. That would be “Herb” (Tom Basden) a folk musician whose career has seen better days. To say that the host is effusive and nervous would be understatements as the arrival on the local boat - and short walk through the chilly waters sets an unimpressive and disapproving scene for the musician. Quite quickly, through the constant stream of rhyming couplets, epithets and daft expressions (“We’ve been Dame Judi Drenched” might set the standard), we realise that both of these men have demons and those only worsen for “Herb” when it turns out that “Charlie” has invited his erstwhile singing partner “Nell” (Carey Mulligan) and her new husband to the island too! Yes, on the face of it th