Chelsea Alexandra
Music has a unique ability to convey emotions that words alone often fail to capture. It becomes a time machine, transporting us to moments and emotions we thought we had long left behind. In the recent SXSW film The Ballad of Wallis Island, directed by James Griffiths, the music of the fictional band McGwyer & Mortimer is the driving force of nostalgia. Every lyric created by the duo left a lasting impact on their fans, one in particular by the name of Charles. When Charles urges them to perform together again, he isn’t just asking for a song; he’s trying to recapture a moment. However, this heartwarming yet wrenching film begs the question of whether nostalgia is a gift or a burden.
Set against the backdrop of the island’s breathtaking landscapes, The Ballad of Wallis Island introduces us to Charles (Tim Key), an eccentric and reclusive lottery winner, who has spent years living alone on the remote and picturesque Wallis Island. A devoted fan of the once-beloved folk duo McGwyer & Mortimer, he comes up with a plan to bring them back together for a one-night-only performance. The duo made up of Herb McGwyer (Tom Basden) and Nell Mortimer (Carey Mulligan), were not only musical partners but also former lovers. Though long estranged, they reluctantly accept Charles’s invitation.
Their reunion is anything but a harmonious one. Old wounds resurface almost immediately with the two living under one roof. Herb, now a slightly washed-up musician, harbors resentment over how things ended. Nell has built a quiet, independent life, however, she is reluctant to reopen a chapter she left behind. Charles is caught between their brewing tension while also being in awe of the two of them. He cannot help but get caught up in the magic of the music the duo once shared and tries to reconcile their relationship.
At the heart of the film is a yearning for the past both in the music that Charles clings to and in the unresolved relationship between Herb and Nell. The film acknowledges that, sometimes, revisiting the past means reopening wounds rather than healing them. It shows an honest portrayal of how time changes people. The Ballad of Wallis Island takes a more nuanced approach to reconciliation. The film doesn’t pretend that old hurts can be easily erased with a single heartfelt conversation or a nostalgic duet. Instead, it allows its characters to stumble through their emotions, giving space for both anger and tenderness.
The dialogue is sharp and natural, capturing the awkwardness of old friends (and lovers) navigating a fractured relationship. Every exchange feels organic while also embracing the messy, complicated nature of human relationships.There are laugh-out-loud moments, particularly from Key’s eccentric observations and the film’s wry take on artistic egos, but the humor never undercuts the emotional weight of the story.
The Ballad of Wallis Island’s original folk soundtrack serves as an extension of the storytelling, serving both as a bridge and a battleground. Their songs are not just performances but deeply personal expressions of their shared history. The lyrics often mirror the emotional state of the characters. The music isn’t something that lingers in the background, it is an active player in the story. There is somewhat of a cathartic release for the duo once the two play together finally. Together through their songwriting, they are facing each other honestly. Nothing is coming in between them to shield them. These musical moments hit with emotional weight because they encapsulate everything.
Key delivers a wonderfully eccentric yet deeply human performance as Charles in The Ballad of Wallis Island. His comedic timing is impeccable, adding levity to the film’s more melancholic moments. However, beneath his quirky charm lies a quiet loneliness, which Key conveys. It is this subtle vulnerability that makes Key’s performance far more than just the comedic relief. Tom Basden and Carey Mulligan, as the estranged musical partners Herb McGwyer and Nell Mortimer, are the film’s emotional core. Basden embodies the frustration of an artist who never quite found his footing and portrays Herb with a perfect balance of longing and bitterness. As Nell, Mulligan brings a quiet strength to the role, portraying a woman who has worked hard to move on but still carries the weight of unfinished business.
The best moments of The Ballad of Wallis Island aren’t necessarily in grand emotional outbursts but in the quiet beats. Key’s bumbling yet well-meaning Charles is the perfect foil to Basden’s cynical Herb, while Mulligan’s quietly powerful presence grounds the two. Their scenes together are packed with subtle expressions, unspoken histories, and comedic timing that never feels forced. Even in moments of silence, their chemistry speaks volumes. It makes their journey much more compelling as it is heartwarming.
