Sometimes, all it takes to change your life is one stranger and a strange turn of events that ensue.
Reunion shows are still a thing, right? Well, they for sure are for Herb McGwyer, just not in the way he expected.
Written by Hailey Passmore
Do you ever expect washed-up male musicians to have social skills? Or do they even know how to be nice to people? Not really, especially when they are depicted in films. That is exactly what The Ballad of Wallis Island brings to the screen. But in writers Tom Basden and Tim Key’s minds, they knew how to add heart and soul into this singer’s personality, allowing him to learn from life and his current situation.
Back in the day, well as far back as circa 2009, folk duo McGwyer Mortimer were really big. Maybe not big enough to sell out arena shows, but popular enough for their superfan, Charles (Tim Key). Lucky for Charles as well, he’s just won the lottery. Living alone on this remote island, he has always dreamed of hiring Herb McGwyer (Tom Basden), his favourite musician, to put on an all-exclusive concert just for him. Not only does Charles pull off hiring McGwyer, but unbeknownst to Herb, Charles has also hired Nell Mortimer (Carey Mulligan), Herb’s ex-bandmate, AND ex-girlfriend. Mortimer further surprises McGwyer as she shows up with her new husband, Michael (Akemnji Ndifornyen). As McGwyer and Mortimer have now been hired to perform their old favourites, the group becomes irritable and old tensions return. And to make everything perfect, the stormy weather leaves them all trapped on the island with Charles deflecting as he desperately looks for a way to save his dream.
Sometimes it is important for films to make people happy and not drown them in a deep plot or high-tech storyline. In what feels like a film written from the heart, Key and Basden have created lottery winner Charles Heath, whose only wish is to see his and his wife’s favourite band. Widowed, this dream of Charles’ is not only for him, but for his wife and her memory. Though Charles’ story could be sad, his personality is filled with awkward humour and endearing charm. Adult motifs center around the film, but it is with the comedic element that is Charles that the messages pass through the screen better. He is practically a stalker, McGwyer and Mortimer’s biggest fan. He knows everything about them, and when he meets Herb for the first time, he most definitely does not have social skills and is perhaps a bit too creepy. But hey, at least he’s harmless.
Charles’s awkwardness and humour lift the gloominess from the negativity of Herb, but that’s how Herb is written. The Ballad of Wallis Island is a love story about moving on, and of course, people need to learn and grow before they can understand that idea – the idea of moving on. It is less about the story in this film and more about its message. During their folk days, Herb and Nell were a couple, emotionally and business-wise. As soon as Herb finds out Nell will be joining this one-off concert, it becomes clear to the audience that there is still a spark Herb wishes to light. He is cranky, rude, and obnoxious to his gracious host Charles, who takes the brunt of his attitude. Yet Charles remains chipper and hopes for the best.
In Nell, Mulligan graces the screen with her presence, and you can feel the passion, as always. But Nell does not want to rekindle the past and has clearly moved on. Much could be said about Mulligan’s performance and pure elegance on screen; she presents herself just as anyone would expect – passionate, kind, and someone who speaks her mind. In the moments when McGwyer and Mortimer connect, the audience is blessed with beautiful songs and can feel the emotional past they once experienced together.
Sometimes a stranger truly can change your life. Without Charles winning the lottery, for a second time, and choosing to make his own dream come true, Herb might never have learned an important life lesson. As Herb spends more time on Wallis Island and even after chasing Nell away, again, it appears he is still stuck in the past. Yet, through this quiet and honest story, he begins to understand that it is okay not to know what comes next in life and learns the importance of moving on. Through this beautiful story of music, heart, and memory, The Ballad of Wallis Island provides a comforting and fresh perspective on life.
The Ballad of Wallis Island is currently in UK cinemas with hopes for a wider release soon. Be sure, when you can, to enjoy a peaceful film with beautiful comedic performances from Carey Mulligan and writers Tom Basden and Tim Key.
Photos: Focus Features
Originally published on wspotlight.blogspot.com
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