The Ballad of Wallis Island
When Herb McGwyer (Tom Basden, Ricky Gervais' 'After Life') agrees to a gig on a remote island, he doesn't realize it's a McGwyer Mortimer gig with his estranged bandmate and former lover Nell (Carey Mulligan) nor does he have any idea that their concert is being held for one man, rich eccentric Charles (Tim Key, Sidekick Simon to Steve Coogan's Alan Partridge), in "The Ballad of Wallis Island."
Laura's Review: B+
Tim Key and Tom Basden adapt their 2007 short 'The One and Only Herb McGwyer Plays Wallis Island' with the same director (James Griffiths), their locations the same (albeit more tastefully updated, their 'concert' beach rockier), their own characters noticeably older, the dialogue almost word for word for the first fifteen minutes (and last few). The added twenty years suits their expanded idea of two men adrift after losing the loves of their lives, each enabling the other to recognize his rut and move in a positive direction. Carey Mulligan drops in to harmonize beautifully with Basden in music if not in life. Throw in a dollop of "Local Hero" with a public phone box and quirkily stocked shop whose proprietress, Amanda (Sian Gifford, TV's 'Fleabag'), has been patiently waiting for the shy occupant up on the hill to make his move.
Herb, whose real name we'll learn is Cliff Petter, is unnerved to learn there is no dock for him to disembark from the small motored rowboat which has brought him to the island and, as assisted by the starstruck and awkward Charles, he and his belongings will be drenched ('Judy Drench!' Charles will exclaim in his bizarre rhyming cockney-style patter). After discovering his lodgings are not a hotel, but Charles' rather grand old manor, all he wants to do is call 'his people,' but his phone is a victim of Charles' fumbling and the island is apparently out of rice (Charles tries to help by grabbing rice pudding). One of the taps on the sink in his room is constantly on and Charles, alone too long, even talks to him through the bathroom door, but there is that suitcase stuffed with 500K BP in cash to think about, something Herb needs to record his next album.
Just when Herb is getting used to the idea, he'll learn that Charles is no genius entrepreneur but a lucky schmo who happened to win the lottery twice and that the concert for 'less than 100' is actually just for him. While he's sputtering over this news, Charles gears up for another arrival and Herb is shocked to learn is old partner Nell has arrived and with a husband, Michael (Akemnji Ndifornyen), in tow. After some initial flinty fireworks over dinner when Nell learns she's been paid less, something Herb tries to justify with such clueless remarks as 'but I'm still an artist,' a private appeal from Michael about the couple needing the money finally cuts through Herb's arrogance. But the magic Charles notes as the two slip into their old harmonies and easy camaraderie is misinterpreted by Herb as something more.
As the new addition to this expansion on the short, Mulligan is the film's most grounded character. Happy in life in Seattle patching a living together selling homemade goods at a local farmer's market and in her marriage to a man Herb dares to call a 'cheeseball,' Mulligan lights up every scene she's in, her singing voice sweetening Basden's. Basden has the largest character arc, his self importance deflated when his solo career is viewed through Nell's eyes, his entitlement punctured by his host's giving nature. Key walks a fine balance of comedy and pathos, his annoying tendencies forgiven by his solitary existence, his background deepened by learning of his loss. Gifford's simple affability is the baggage-free parallel to Mulligan's romantic influence on the two leads' lives.
The screenplay is gilded with charming details like Charles' gourmet aspirations, expertise on tennis serves but not returns and his recognizable fanaticism. If Michael is removed from most of the film's midsection for expediency's sake, at least he's made into a birdwatcher, one thrilled to witness puffins on a remote part of the island. Amanda's solutions for requests for such things as a Reese's peanut butter cup are inspired bits of comedy. Griffith's production is much slicker, G. Magni Ágústsson's (TV's 'Bad Sisters') lensing a huge step up from the short. Basden's musical contributions are the film's connective glue, 'Our Love' a standout, and are nicely complemented by Adem Ilhan's Celtic flavored score.
"The Ballad of Wallis Island" is a quirky crowd pleaser, a full-throated adaptation of a clever idea.
Focus Features releases "The Ballad of Wallis Island" in select theaters on 3/28/25, wider on 4/4/25.
