Have you ever fantasized about what it would be like to be at an intimate, private show of your favorite musical artist? THE BALLAD OF WALLIS ISLAND allows the audience to witness that very fantasy vicariously through the eyes — and money — of Charles (played by Tim Key). After winning the lottery, he books former folk duo McGwyer Mortimer (Tom Basden and Carey Mulligan, respectively) to come to his island home and perform a show together. The catch? The two musicians haven’t been on speaking terms for years and have each moved on with their musical and personal lives. With very limited travel opportunities, the two are essentially forced to get past whatever would normally hold them back in the real world and maybe, just maybe, entertain the idea of playing the private gig they were hired to play.
This is the definition of “a small movie.” With what seems like five different characters through its entire 99-minute run time, THE BALLAD OF WALLIS ISLAND is a small, sweet, sophisticated film that will charm you at every turn.
Key, Basden and Mulligan are all perfect in their respective roles. Key provides the emotional connection to the audience (as well as the laughs), Basden is exactly how you’d envision a washed up singer/songwriter to be and Mulligan is the grounding point that keeps the whole thing moving.
Nearly everything about THE BALLAS OF WALLIS ISLAND works. It’s written well, it’s acted well, it’s directed well and it’s executed well. Short of it maybe feeling a little slow for some viewers, it’s a home run for everybody else. The chemistry between Key and Basden is electric and that electricity comes through on every scene, a la The Odd Couple, Chris Farley & David Spade or Steve Martin & Martin Short.
THE BALLAD OF WALLIS ISLAND is not only worth seeing, it’s worth going to a theater for. You’ll come away with a warm feeling in your heart, a smile on your face, and wishing you were Charles so you could hire your favorite artist to come do a private show at your home.
JKG SCORE: 8.0
UNTITLED BONUS: Actors and writers of THE BALLAD OF WALLIS ISLAND, Tim Key and Tom Basden, recently sat down with us at Carter Vintage Guitars in Nashville, Tennessee. WATCH –>
Untitled Film Project 