Now and then, it’s nice to see a nice movie, like The Ballad of Wallis Island. I’m sure you haven’t heard of it, because I hadn’t, but it popped up on a watch list. There was nothing else to watch, so I put it on. I was treated to a very sweet comedy, which I ended up watching twice.
The Ballad of Wallace Island stars Tim Key, Tom Basden, Sian Clifford, Akemnji Ndifornyen, and Carey Mulligan. Key and Basden are the writers, with James Griffiths the director.
The Story
The story is:
An eccentric man who lives alone on a remote island tries to make his fantasies come true by getting his favourite musicians to perform at his home.
I’ve actually edited that a bit, to keep a minor spoiler out, as it was a nice addition to the story.
Herb McGywer (Basden) is a famous musician, heading to Wallis Island for a private gig. He’s welcomed by Charles (Key), who takes him to his ‘hotel’. The island is pretty small, so his hotel is actually Charles’ house.
It’s all a bit odd, but Herb is happy to do the gig, getting half a million to do it; it’ll pay for his next album. Herb used to be part of a folk duo with Nell (Mulligan), but they haven’t worked together for a long time. Neither Herb nor Nell don’t knows that Charles has arranged for both of them to go to the island for the private gig.
There’s nothing outstanding about the story because it’s more about Herb having to deal with Charles and his ex-partner.
The Cast
I like Tim Key, he is a very understated actor. He plays Sidekick Simon in Alan Partridge, which has some of the best comedy writing in British comedy. Admittedly, there isn’t much competition these days, but I genuinely think Alan Partridge is the last of the great British comedy acts.
Key plays a very simple man in The Ballad of Wallis Island, who obviously lives on his own on the island. This becomes abundantly clear when Herb turns up and Charles has zero social skills. Key plays Charles to perfection, an awkward man, but nice.
I’m not familiar with Basden, but again, he plays the role very well. He thinks the gig is for a few hundred people, but it’s not. He has no idea how to deal with Charles, or Nell, whom is hasn’t seen in a long time.
Mulligan is always good, and I think this movie is actually beneath her. I get the impression she’s happy in a big Hollywood production, but just has happy with something low budget like this.
Overall
The Ballad of Wallis Island is a nice and gentle comedy, which did make me giggle in places. I did watch it twice, at first while I was working, but then again with Mrs Boba, and I will admit, I shed a tear towards the end the second time.
It was all Key’s performance, playing a man who just wanted to see his favourite musician. It’s not a soppy ending, but just nice.
With all the action movies, blood, guts, and gore out there, it was nice to see something nice, simple, and funny. Maybe because I’m nice, simple, and funny.
If you wanted a change from the norm, and a change from the dumpster fire that is Hollywood, I would highly recommend The Ballad of Wallis Island. I’m giving it a nice 3.5 out of 5 stars.
