The Ballad of Wallis Island: A Bittersweet Reunion
A new film, The Ballad of Wallis Island, has been making waves in the cinematic world, and it has been described as a "funny but also melancholy piece of work". According to a review by The Guardian, the film tells the story of a fictional folk duo, McGwyer Mortimer, who were moderately successful back in 2009.
The duo, played by Tom Basden and Carey Mulligan, had a certain level of fame, gracing the covers of NME and performing at Glastonbury, but they were far from being household names. However, for their biggest fans, they were "Dylan-big", and Charles, played by Tim Key, is one such fan. As The Guardian notes, Charles is a "reclusive lottery winner, giving him the motive and the means to stage a private reunion gig for an audience of one on a remote island".
The film, as reviewed by The Guardian, has been praised for its sincere emotional connection, rather than relying on wild virtuoso showboating. The reviewer notes that the film "turns out to be a different beast: a funny but also melancholy piece of work. It’s more interested in maintaining a consistent and sincere emotional connection than in wild virtuoso showboating". This approach has been well-received, with the reviewer praising the performances of the lead actors.
Tim Key, in particular, has been praised for his portrayal of Charles, bringing his signature "pleasant oddness" to the role. As The Guardian notes, Key "blends a bit of the pleasant oddness he always brings to his acting roles with the verbal playfulness familiar to admirers of his poetry". His character’s verbal diarrhoea, which includes jokes such as "Houston, we have chutney, and it’s not a problem", adds to the film’s humour.
Tom Basden, on the other hand, plays a character whose face does the talking, with a "spiky presence, all low cut T-shirts, wounded ego and rounded shoulders". The Guardian praises Basden’s performance, noting that it is a "perfect performance both as an actor and, when the songs come along, as a musician". Basden also wrote the music for the film, which is played and sung completely straight, and has been described as "rather beautiful".
Carey Mulligan, who plays the role of the third member of the duo, has a smaller part to play, but is still convincing as a woman who has moved on to make jam in Portland with her geek-chic birdwatching husband. As The Guardian notes, "you’ll leave wanting your own island, your own gig and your own lock of Carey Mulligan’s hair".
The Ballad of Wallis Island is set to hit UK cinemas from May 30th, and with its unique blend of humour and melancholy, it is sure to be a hit with audiences. As The Guardian concludes, the film is a "bittersweet reunion" that will leave viewers wanting more.
The film’s focus on emotional connection and its exploration of the complexities of fame and fandom make it a compelling watch. With its talented cast and beautiful music, The Ballad of Wallis Island is a film that is not to be missed.
The Guardian provides an in-depth look at the film, stating that "Basden and Key starring in a film about a folk band reunion might have you expecting something a little bit sketch comedy, but this turns out to be a different beast".
Ultimately, The Ballad of Wallis Island is a film that will resonate with audiences, and with its release just around the corner, fans are eagerly anticipating its arrival.
