Monday Night Cinema

The Ballad of Wallis Island

Musician Herb McGwyer (Tom Basden) made his name in a popular folk duo with former creative and romantic partner Nell Mortimer (Carey Mulligan). Now a struggling solo artist, Herb accepts a lucrative offer from eccentric lottery winner Charles Heath (Tim Key) to perform a private gig on a remote island. The appearance fee will fund Herb’s new album. But it turns out Charles - who has very personal reasons for organising the gig - has also invited Nell to play, forcing Herb into an unexpected McGwyer Mortimer reunion. 

Co-writers and co-stars Tom Basden and Tim Key, alongside director James Griffiths, have delivered a winning crowd-pleaser with The Ballad of Wallis Island. With a perfect mix of humour and poignant character work, this film is a total charmer.