⭐️ ⭐️ ⭐️ ⭐️ (out of 5 stars)
One joy of film festivals can be discovering cinematic gems that may not have received as much attention in a wider release. The Ballad of Wallis Island is an unassuming venture into the human experience that beautifully weaves together music, love, grief, and loneliness for a magical island adventure unlike any in recent memory.
Director James Griffiths (Cuban Fury) gives new life to the 2007 short film The One and Only Herb McGwyer Plays Wallis Island, which starred Tim Key and Tom Basden. The comedians embody their former roles as two men brought together by folk music and superfans. Key (Mickey 17) plays eccentric widow Charles Heath, who lives an isolated life on an island off the coast of Wales. As a devotee of the folk duo McGwyer Mortimer, he hires the pair to the island for an exclusive performance even though they had not sung together in a decade and had parted on bad terms. Herb (Basden) has been trying to salvage his solo career. After their break, Nell Mortimer (Carey Mulligan) married an American and no longer sings for anyone. As things unfold on the remote island, the trio discover something they had lost and hope to rediscover again.
In the opening moments of this comedic misadventure, there were moments where the storyline could have gone down a horrific path reminiscent of Misery. Until the endearing side of Tim Key's character begins to come out of his awkward shell and captures everyone's heart. The comedy is subtly British and manages to distract from the emotional soft centre of this heartwarming tale of grief and regret. Tom Basden and Carey Mulligan complement Key's central performance, and Sian Clifford's scene-stealing take on the local shopkeeper. This ensemble's rare weakness is the minimal time Mulligan is on screen. After she and Basden begin singing together, you will want more time with her character, which will help you understand why Key's character paid to have them come.
The Ballad of Wallis Island is one of those films that needs to be found by audiences to sit back and let this beautiful story unfold. It offers the comedy, emotion and character depth required for all those yearning for an uplighting night at the cinema.
Find out more about Russ Matthews' latest book: Reel Marriage. Click here to get your copy
Reel Dialogue: Grieving in different ways and for different things
This magical film manages to tap into the lonely essence of grief and how everyone deals with loss differently. Regret, tears, anger, confusion are some of the emotions that come along during this time in the lives of those who lose a loved one or after the loss of their passions. In amongst the comedic and lighter moments of this film, the audience manages to show how everyone needs time to go down to the depths of despair and even more time to rise to see what they need in life.
One thing that can be considered about the message of the Bible is that God is not only there for those who grieve but that he can empathise with them, too. His Son died a horrific death, and it allows people to know that they can come to a God who knows how they feel during this low in their lives.
For those struggling with the dark shadow of grief, the God of the Bible provides the guiding light out of the darkness. We may seek comfort in the temporary things of this life, but they eventually lose their power to soothe the soul. Knowing that the Lord is always there for and with us is good.
