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Unsung British comedy The Ballad of Wallis Island is a modern day Local Hero

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The Ballad Of Wallis Island

Verdict: Hilarious and poignant

Two movies are premiering in theaters today, both quintessentially British like a cup of afternoon tea, and both taking place far out west, but remarkably distinct in mood. One is full of laughter, while the other offers nothing amusing at all.

The original work is titled “The Ballad Of Wallis Island.” This heartfelt tale is penned and acted by the talented duo, Tim Key and Tom Basden. It skillfully elicits countless chuckles from a fundamentally melancholic narrative. The protagonist, Charles (portrayed by Tim Key), leads a solitary life in a sprawling island residence, off the Pembrokeshire coast. His only regular social interplay occurs at the neighborhood store, managed by Amanda (Sian Clifford), a single mother.

Nevertheless, Charles possesses sufficient funds to hire Herb McGwyer, a somewhat fragile yet recognizable singer-songwriter, for a private performance on the island. Charles asserts that they crossed paths in the past at the Colchester Corn Exchange, where Herb and his former partner Nell Mortimer (Carey Mulligan), who were known as McGwyer Mortimer – ‘the top-selling folk-rock duo of 2014’, performed together.

Herb is unaware that Charles has extended an invitation to Nell on the island as well. He’s prepared to shell out £800,000 in cold hard cash for a reunion of the two, not realizing that they each carry a truckload of emotional turmoil stemming from their past relationship.

To make things more intricate, Nell, who has been absent from Herb’s life for nine years, is arriving with her spouse, Michael (Akemnji Ndifornyen). This is a surprise to Herb, as he wasn’t aware that she was married.

The narrative commences as Herb arrives by boat, prompting an overly enthusiastic greeting from Charles who wades out to welcome him. Charismatic yet frustrating due to his excessive eagerness and a knack for puns and play on words, Charles embodies the spirit of characters like Alan Partridge and David Brent, but is more endearing and susceptible.

In a conversation with his agent over the phone, Herb expresses that Charles has a kind of endearing quality, but also uses a sports analogy to voice frustration about Charles being too persistent. He says, “Charles is all over me like a defensive back. It’s as if he’s shadowing me everywhere.

On his wall, Charles displays two framed lottery winning tickets. People, including Herb, initially believed he earned his wealth through finance or oil. However, it turned out that Charles wasn’t a financier or an oil tycoon; instead, he was a dedicated male nurse who astonishingly won the jackpot not once, but twice.

Initially, he spent everything while traveling around the world with Marie, his beloved. Later, he reacquired his winnings. Unfortunately, now he is without Marie to enjoy his newfound wealth, though she remains significant in the story as events reveal.

As a dedicated follower, I can’t help but express my excitement over the film I’m currently immersed in. This masterpiece is skillfully orchestrated by James Griffiths, a director whose work never fails to captivate me. The breathtaking panoramic views it offers would undoubtedly inspire anyone visiting Pembrokeshire.

The storyline is based on a 2007 BAFTA-nominated short titled “The One And Only Herb McGwyer Plays Wallis Island,” which was also directed by Griffiths and penned by Key and Basden.

In Charles’s signature wit, if there’s a discordant tone in this extended storyline, it comes from Michael, whose character seems forcedly removed once he and Nell reach their destination. However, this minor inconsistency doesn’t detract much, and in fact, serves its purpose by shifting the spotlight onto Herb and Nell as they revisit past grudges while seeking lost melodies.

In typical fashion, Mulligan delivers flawlessly, while Basden’s contributions as the songwriter are impressive. However, it’s Key’s moving portrayal that truly stands out; it could serve as a model for empathy in acting classes.

As a devoted admirer, I can honestly say that I savored nearly every moment of this captivating film, which in certain aspects, brought Bill Forsyth’s 1983 gem, Local Hero, to mind. It’s quite astonishing, considering its distinctly British flavor – from the dialogue that casually mentions Monster Munch, Alton Towers, Harold Shipman, Ken Dodd, and Red Leicester cheese – that it has already garnered a decent response in the US, having been screened at this year’s Sundance Film Festival.

Indeed, it’s quite unremarkable, considering the relatable elements it weaves into its narrative – love, solitude, camaraderie, and, without a doubt, wealth. After all, these are experiences that resonate universally.

Verdict: A bit of a slog

The movie, “The Salt Path,” primarily revolves around the scarcity of money, but it’s more about their struggle without much financial resources. This film is adapted from a popular memoir penned by Raynor Winn (Gillian Anderson). In this heart-wrenching narrative, she and her husband Moth (Jason Isaacs) endure hardships after losing their home, a predicament made even more challenging by Moth’s diagnosis with a rare degenerative illness.

Despite being homeless and without money, and facing health issues, the determined Winns opt to focus on something constructive. They choose to embark on a journey, carrying a tent, along the impressive South West Coast Path that traverses counties such as Somerset, Dorset, Devon, and Cornwall.

The movie portrays their ups and downs throughout, and it’s emotional, but unfortunately, the progression feels laborious at times for both them and us. I question whether first-time film director Marianne Elliott, who has an extensive background in theatre, was the ideal pick for this project?

The coastal landscape is breathtakingly beautiful, and both Isaacs and Anderson deliver outstanding performances (though their good looks and grooming might be a bit too polished to fully convince as a struggling couple). However, the narrative could have been made more compact as the Winns encounter not only the kindness, but also the apathy, hostility, and eccentricity of strangers.

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2025-05-30 02:49

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