Expanded from a short film that premiered to great acclaim in 2008, The Ballad of Wallis Island is an extremely heartwarming and sweet movie. It’s packed with polished writing and genuinely heartfelt musical performances that are bound to make anyone smile. The obvious comparison is John Carney’s films like Once and Sing Street, but the small island setting here makes this feel even more intimate and cozy.
The story takes us to Wallis Island, a fictional Welsh isle, where Herb McGwyer (Tom Basden), a former folk singer turned more mainstream star, arrives thinking he’s been hired for a high-paying gig in front of a small audience. Instead, his performance is for one man—Charles, a lottery-winning widower who simply wants to hear his favorite album live. To Herb’s dismay, Charles has also invited Nell (Carey Mulligan), Herb’s ex-lover and former bandmate. The problem? Herb and Nell didn’t part on the best of terms.
Tom Basden plays Herb as someone who’s forgotten the joy in life’s small moments, making him a great contrast to Tim Key’s endlessly optimistic Charles. Their odd dynamic is hilarious, with plenty of laughs for fans of cringe comedy. Basden and Key, who co-wrote the film and have worked together many times, clearly know their characters and each other inside out, constantly bouncing off one another in a way that feels effortless. Carey Mulligan, meanwhile, shines with understated authenticity and a lovely voice—something we already knew she could pull off from Inside Llewyn Davis. While the script doesn’t give her character as much attention as it could have, Mulligan’s performance still feels natural and grounded, adding just the right touch of warmth. Sian Clifford also has some standout moments later in the film, rounding out the cast.
A film centered on music has to deliver on the songs, and this one absolutely does. The performances are so good that I found myself genuinely upset whenever a song got interrupted—they’re that enjoyable and more than justify the couple’s fictional fame. The restraint in the storytelling is another big win: the film doesn’t go overboard with misunderstandings or try too hard for tearjerking moments. Instead, it opts for a serene, breezy tone that makes it a delight to watch.
If there’s a small critique, it’s that the third act could have gone deeper into Herb’s relationship with music, and I wouldn’t have minded seeing more of the island and its people to really bring the setting to life. But honestly, those are small gripes. The Ballad of Wallis Island is funny, charming, and impossible to dislike—a true crowd-pleaser with one of the best soundtracks in years.