The Ballad of Wallis Island

Tom Basden (who wrote the songs used in the film and co-wrote the screenplay with Tim Key) stars as famous, if floundering, musician Herb McGwyer who arrives on a remote island for a private concert to a pair of surprises. First, the reclusive millionaire Charles (Tom Key) who has hired Herb is the only audience member for the concert on the near-deserted island. And, second, he has also invited Herb's former partner Nell Mortimer (Carey Mulligan) who he hasn't spoken to in almost a decade.

While the premise could make for a creepy thriller, director James Griffiths provides heartwarming comedy around the odd but harmless reclusive super-fan who is nothing more than he seems and simply has the means to bring together a reunion of his late wife's favorite band on the anniversary of her death. Basden gets plenty of physical comedy as Herb points out how incredibly awkward everything about the situation is while everyone else, including Nell and her husband (Akemnji Ndifornyen), go with the flow.

While it lacks the big crescendo we're waiting for, The Ballad of Wallis Island offers some good music and good company pulling on themes of treading on memories left buried as story plays out in ways to fix the ailing Herb's soul and deliver the warm, and equally lonely, Charles something worth far more than money.

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• Title: The Ballad of Wallis Island
• IMDb: link