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The Ballad of Wallis Island
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The Ballad of Wallis Island
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- 2025
- James Griffiths
- 99 mins
- 12A
Summary
Comedy drama starring Tom Basden, Tim Key and Carey Mulligan. Singer/songwriter Herb McGwyer arrives on a remote Welsh island at the invitation of Charles Heath, a lonely, wealthy eccentric who has offered Herb half a million pounds to play a private gig. But Charles has also hired Herb's former creative partner and ex-girlfriend, Nell Mortimer, reopening old wounds for both musicians.
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Review
A star rating of 3 out of 5.
Sean McGeady
Long-time writing partners Tim Key and Tom Basden lead this twee odd-couple comedy, which over the course of its running time deepens into an affecting story of pain and acceptance. Eccentric millionaire Charles (Key) hopes to reunite his favourite musicians, folk duo and former lovers Herb McGwyer (Basden) and Nell Mortimer (Carey Mulligan), at a private show at his home on Wallis Island. Bringing them back together, though, awakens feelings that cause Herb to question his direction in life, while there's more to Charles's scheme than his passion for the McGwyer Mortimer back catalogue suggests. The film is based on a Key and Basden short from 2007, whose director James Griffiths returns to the helm here. How funny you find it will depend on whether you click with Key's fussy delivery and the script's rat-a-tat wordplay, but its slow-burning warmth pays off in a lovely, bittersweet resolution.
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7.4/10
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Credits
Cast
rolenameHerb McGwyerTom BasdenCharles HeathTim KeyAmandaSian CliffordMichaelAkemnji NdifornyenPeterSteve MarshNell MortimerCarey MulliganMarcusLuka DownieMarieKerrie ThomasonTour GuideArron Long
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Crew
rolenameDirectorJames GriffithsWriterTom BasdenWriterTim KeyProducerRupert MajendieComposerAdem IlhanDirector of photographyG. Magni ÁgústssonEditorQuin WilliamsCastingCatherine WillisProduction designerAlexandra Toomey
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Details
Theatrical distributor
Universal
Released on
2025-05-30
Languages
English
Guidance
Swearing
Formats
Colour
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