Eccentric lottery winner Charles lives alone on a remote island but dreams of hiring his favourite musician, Herb McGwyer, to play an exclusive, private gig. Unbeknownst to Herb, Charles has also h...
“The Ballad of Wallis Island” is one of those feel-good movies that is guaranteed to leave you with a smile. It has a warm, comforting vibe that makes you feel like you’re wrapped in a cozy blanket, which makes it precisely the kind of movie most of us really need right now.
The film tells the story of widower Charles (Tim Key), a quirky and awkward lottery winner who lives alone on a remote island. In honor of his dead wife, Charles dreams of getting their favorite folk band, McGwyer Mortimer, back together for a private show. He invites both members of the duo (Tom Basden and Carey Mulligan) to his home, but when the band mates (who are also ex-lovers) show up, all sorts of old tensions bubble to the surface. While Charles does his best to relive that magic from the past, things don’t go as smoothly as he hopes.
The film is all about how music brings back such powerful memories, both good and bad. It taps into that relatable feeling we all know, like when a song comes on and suddenly you’re transported right back to a moment you thought you’d long forgotten. It’s a lot more about the feelings music evokes than the actual songs themselves, which is kind of a surprise given the setup. The original music in the film is pretty and pleasant, but they’re not the kind of tunes that will stick with you after the movie (in other words, they’re mostly forgettable and not instant classics). The music provides more of a backdrop that helps to tell the story rather than being the star of the show.
The film reminds me of something out of John Carney’s playbook (like “Once” or “Begin Again”), but with a softer focus on the music. This film is all about nostalgia, reconciling with the past, and the complicated relationships between these characters. It’s bittersweet, especially as Charles tries so hard to bring back something that maybe shouldn’t be revived. There’s a really lovely moment of self-realization that sneaks up on you, and it hits in the right way without feeling overly sentimental.
Even though the movie’s main theme is music, it’s actually more about the emotional weight behind it and how songs can connect us to people and moments in ways words can’t. This is a film that’s overflowing with heart and soul.
Filled with warmth, great characters, and oodles of understated charm, “The Ballad of Wallis Island” is a comforting, nostalgic, feel-good watch that will particularly resonate with anyone who has a deep connection to music.
