The Ballad of Wallis Island
review
The Ballad of Wallis Island (2025), directed by James Griffiths and co-written by stars Tom Basden and Tim Key, is a bittersweet British comedy that deftly balances humour, heartache, and the transformative power of music. Set against the windswept beauty of a fictional Welsh island, the film follows washed-up folk musician Herb McGwyer (Basden) as he reluctantly agrees to a private gig for an eccentric, talkative superfan, Charles (Key), only to discover his ex-bandmate and former lover, Nell (Carey Mulligan), has also been invited. What unfolds is a poignant exploration of nostalgia, failure, and the fragile connections that bind us.
Tim Key steals the show as Charles, a lottery winner whose relentless puns and needy chatter mask a deep loneliness. His performance is both hilarious and heartbreaking, embodying the film’s tonal balance of comedy and melancholy .
Basden and Mulligan shine as the estranged duo, their musical chemistry (with songs written by Basden) evoking a wistful authenticity. Mulligan, though underused, brings warmth to Nell, a woman torn between her past and her quiet present .
The film avoids American saccharine sentimentality, opting instead for a grounded, British sensibility. It’s a story about accepting loss, whether of love, fame, or unfulfilled dreams, and finding solace in small, human connections .
Comparisons to Local Hero and Inside Llewyn Davis are apt, but Wallis Island carves its own niche with its focus on fandom’s awkward intimacy and the quiet magic of reunion .
The original folk songs, performed by Basden and Mulligan, are standout moments, blending wit and pathos. Tracks like ‘Raspberry Fair’ linger long after the credits.
The island itself, shot with muted beauty by DP G. Magni Ágústsson, becomes itself a character, a liminal space where past and present collide.
Some gags (like Herb’s soggy arrival) feel repetitive, and the script occasionally leans too hard on Charles’s quirks, risking grating over charm .
Sian Clifford’s shopkeeper character hints at a romance with Charles but is sidelined, leaving emotional threads unresolved .
Overall, however, The Ballad of Wallis Island is a low-key triumph, a Melancholic, Musical Gem, a film that celebrates the messiness of life with wit and tenderness. Its flaws are outweighed by its big heart, superb performances, and the haunting simplicity of its music. As Charles might say, it’s a “wowser for your trousers”… and for your soul .
Rating: 4/5