Programme Notes: The Ballad of Wallis Island

A soulful, finely tuned gem of British cinema, director James Griffiths’ The Ballad of Wallis Island tells a quietly beautiful story of reconciliation which movingly spotlights the healing power of music.

Charting the reunion of folk duo McGwyer Mortimer to an adoring audience of one (“I said it would be less than a hundred”) – uber-fan and lottery winner Charles Heath (shining comedian and poet Tim Key, the beating heart of the film) – the remote plains of Wallis Island becomes the unlikely stage for a reconnection between estranged musicians and former romantic partners Herb McGwyer (a brilliantly deadpan Tom Basden) and Nell Mortimer (the reliably wonderful Carey Mulligan).

Layered with an irresistible humour, with the delightfully dry Basden and the pun-proud, wordplay-spouting Key making for a tremendous double act, it also movingly explores grief, fractured relationships and the catharsis of being at peace with your past.
With shades of Bill Forsyth’s magical classic Local Hero, the brilliantly irreverent Frank (scribed by local legend and Conclave writer Peter Straughan) and the inspired tragicomedy Brian & Charles, The Ballad of Wallis Island shows all the hallmarks of a future indie cult classic.

The film is an expansion of festival favourite short film The One and Only Herb McGwyer Plays Wallis Island (which is still available to watch in two parts on YouTube), reuniting the original creative team of director Griffiths and writer-stars Basden and Key.
However, while the 2007 short was strictly a two-hander between writer-creators Basden and Key, as the only members of the cast, the transition to feature film allows for stand-out performances by Carey Mulligan and Sian Clifford.

After having showcased her impressive singing talents in the Coen Brothers’ folk character study chronicle Inside Llewyn Davis alongside Justin Timberlake, her grounded, understated turn here provides the film with real pathos, and gifts the soundtrack terrific vocals. Sian Clifford, meanwhile, most fondly acclaimed for her performance as the haircut-disaster-prone sister to Phoebe Waller-Bridge in hit BBC comedy Fleabag, delivers a welcome supporting turn as the resident shopkeeper of Wallis Island, Amanda.

As well as proudly championing the stunning backdrop of Carmarthenshire, Wales (standing in for the fictional isle of Wallis Island), the film is a tremendous showcase for the folk songwriting talents of multi-hyphenate talent Tom Basden (be sure to stick through the credits to enjoy the film’s sonic epilogue).

While the soundtrack itself is composed by Adem Ilhan (In The Loop), all of the affecting original music is written and performed by Herb McGwyer himself. Though he may be eccentric, it’s hard to argue with Charles’ taste in music; The Ballad of Wallis Island and its music is a much needed gentle, soulful cinematic escape.

Give Your Love – Tom Basden & Carey Mulligan

“If you need some affection, and you’re feeling all alone. Reach on through your reflection, pick up the phone. But you can stay if you’re staying, yeah I don’t need to know. We’ll just keep the music playing and let the evening flow. Till we know – till it shows us where it wants to go…”