The premise isn’t anything new, but it’s easy to digest and boasts a relaxing soundtrack. The Ballad of Wallis Island is a much-needed break from reality and the muck on TV and in theaters. It’s the feel-good film you didn’t know you needed until you absorb all the highs and lows it has to offer, resulting in a refreshed feeling and a hard search for their music.
The story follows Charles (Tim Key), an eccentric and chatty lottery winner who lives in solitude on a remote island. His dream? Reuniting his favorite musicians, McGwyer & Mortimer (Tom Basden and Carey Mulligan) for one final performance live on the island.
Innocent and socially awkward, Charles is annoyingly delightful and brings joy to everyone he comes across. Making no fuss about winning the lottery twice, he decides to spend his money on something important to him: seeing his favorite duo join forces again. Very little is known about Charles aside from his solitude and his friend Amanda (Sian Clifford), who runs the local store. His humor is very simple, which in turn heightens his appeal. His hysterical gaffes are due to his lack of interaction. This is why he’s a master server at tennis but can’t hit a return ball to save his life. “I have no one to hit it back to me,” he explains. He’s the type of guy who could entertain himself all day with limericks and dad jokes.
Herb (Tom Basden) arrived on the tiny island first via rowboat. From Herb and Charles’ first introduction, the comedy began to run wild. Whether trying to find words that rhyme or doing deep dives into alliteration, there’s no form of humor that wasn’t tackled in the film. It was because of this light delivery that the film was allowed to flow effortlessly. Going back to Herb, he was hardened by his arrangements, both travel and living, and started to question if everything was real. Those concerns were swept away by the nonchalant Charles, who was quick to explain his two lottery wins, offer a short backstory on his life, and present him with a suitcase filled with money. Even the suitcase situation afforded a chance at humor as he presented him $500,000 but suggested, “I can give you 10 now as a down payment”.
Herb had no idea that his former music partner Nell (Carey Mulligan) would be arriving days later, let alone with her husband Michael (Akemnji Ndifornyen). He’s an easygoing guy who was looking forward to the trip for the wildlife. When he arrived with Nell, you would’ve thought the gig was for him due to his excitement. A day into the trip, we learn that he’s a proud ornithophile who voluntarily left the group for a three-day venture to see a colony of Puffins.
McGwyer & Mortimer became famous for their two-part harmonies, and Charles played their music 24/7. After learning about her and their past, you might think this will follow the path of a Lifetime or Hallmark film that sees the two acknowledging newfound love and running off together. Thankfully, that doesn’t happen. It’s a theme that we’ve all seen before, but there are a few turns that take place to keep audiences guessing.
The Ballad of Wallis Island gets a 9 out of 10. At times, the bit with Charles’ nervous chatter was overdone, but it was usually saved by a smart remark from Herb. Altogether, the chemistry of the cast was enjoyable. It was wholesome, there was zero sex, and it was chock-full of humor. The film took a light-hearted approach to addressing real feelings and emotions, but didn’t harp on them long enough to reverse the film’s wholesomeness. It’s a ‘kick your feet up and enjoy’ film that’s sure to win over audiences everywhere.
The Ballad of Wallis Island will be in limited release on April 4.
Genre: Comedy, Drama, Music
Rating: PG-13
Runtime: 1 hr 40 mins
Trailer: Watch
U.S. Release Date: April 4, 2025 (DC-Area)