The Ballad of Wallis Island

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 conceals more than a few important details about the true nature of his plan, revelations that take the long-estranged musical duo somewhat by surprise. But, as their stay on the island unfolds, old memories are rekindled, prompting Herb and Nell to question the choices they’ve made and whether they want to take another shot at what they once had. As a result, Charles becomes something of an impromptu, unwitting matchmaker living vicariously through his guests’ experience, enveloped in a cloak of his own bittersweet nostalgia. But, considering how the lives of all three characters have changed, can the past be brought back to life, especially now that Nell is married to an adoring husband (Akemnji Ndifornyen), Herb has moved on to new types of questionable musical projects and Charles swoons (albeit bashfully) for the owner of the island’s general store (Sian Clifford)? Indeed, memories may prove to be heartwarming to relive, but can they be effectively and authentically re-created? Those are the scenarios that play out in this warm, touching alternative romcom, one that sports a quirky vibe not unlike that found in the charming comedy classic “Local Hero” (1983) mixed with the romantic reunion storyline of “A Mighty Wind” (2003). These elements are effectively enhanced by the natural, unassuming performances of the three principals, the fine original songs composed for the film and gorgeous cinematography of the craggy, windswept Welsh island location. It’s rare these days that a romantic comedy provides viewers with anything more than prototypical heartstring-tugging emotions a la Hallmark Channel productions, but “The Ballad of Wallis Island” serves up more, giving audiences a lot to ponder beyond whether the often-predictable outcomes often associated with releases in this genre will ultimately materialize. This is a great, if not entirely standard, date movie, one that’s sure to leave viewers with their own share of fond memories, even if they aren’t necessarily the kind one might expect.

“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 there’s a lot to cringe about here and after about ten minutes of our verbal drenching from Key I did wonder if this was going to be a shocker, but once it settles down - and it does - and we discover a little more about the characters and what drives them, then it actually proves to be quite an entertaining little feature peppered with a few songs (written by Basden and sung by him and Mulligan) that looks at grief, loneliness and friendship. It doesn’t actually follow the expected pattern either, and in the end I rather fancied the idea of life in a thunder storm on an island where you baked an halibut in an Aga for the best part of a day and washed it down with a jeroboam of wine. It is one of these peculiarly British movies that might not travel so well, but there are a few laugh out loud moments and it’s simplicity is engaging and watchable.

**THE BALLAD OF WALLIS ISLAND** is a touching reminder that an appreciation of a moment in the present will one day make for a less painful journey into the past.

Enigmatic and eccentric lottery winner Charles Heath (played by Tim Key) shells out a stupefying amount of cash to bring his favorite folk duo back together for one last concert at his home on a remote Welsh island.

As Herb McGwyer (Tom Basden) arrives, looking worse for wear and understandably annoyed -- to the ever-accommodating host Charles, Herb's miseries only worsen when he learns that his former singing partner of the short-lived folk duo *'McGwyer Mortimer'* is also due to arrive.

When Nell Mortimer (Carey Mulligan) comes to the island, a flood of emotions, regrets, and unrequited feelings come bubbling to the surface resulting in the bittersweet realization that the past can sometimes be a subjective mirage that fools us into a nostalgia that never was.

Basden and Mulligan's chemistry is wonderfully on display throughout -- and for anyone remotely aware of *Fleetwood Mac*'s Lindsay Buckingham and Stevie Nicks -- this, too, will feel genuine.

But it is Key's performance as Heath that will tug at your heartstrings both for his sincere portrayal of a lonely man and his humorous and knowing ability to bring people together despite the odds.

Co-written by Basden and Key, directed by James Griffiths and adapted from the trio's own short film in 2007 **THE ONE AND ONLY HERB MCGWYER PLAYS WALLIS ISLAND**, the expansion is a great film and one that should not be missed.

Come for the music, stay for the lessons it teaches on heartache, regret, acceptance, and moving forward.