movie review
THE BALLAD OF WALLIS ISLAND
Running time: 100 minutes. Not yet rated. In theaters March 28.
At first glance, the plot of “The Ballad of Wallis Island,” one of the most joyous surprises at this year’s Sundance Film Festival, looks like that of a sub-standard rom-com.
A former folk rock duo, who were also a romantic couple until the group dramatically split up, are separately invited to put on a reunion concert on a remote British island for an audience of just one big spender.
That premise could be a recipe for ridiculousness. The stuff of Adam Sandler in a Hawaiian shirt or Jennifer Aniston hiding from a man behind a tree. But this sublime and human comedy, starring Carey Mulligan, Tom Basden and the wonderful Tim Key, is anything but kooky or overblown. I adored every second of it.
Directed by James Griffiths, this is the sort of hilarious heart-warmer that only comes around once or twice a year to offer a blessed break from darkness, snobbery and streaming schlock. It’s so easy to love, even if love doesn’t come easy for its characters.
The prickly band is McGwyer Mortimer, and the first member to arrive by motorboat is cranky Herb McGwyer (Basden). The population of Wallis Island is so small that it doesn’t have a dock, so the rocker is forced to wade through three feet of water to get to land.
“Is there not a harbor?!,” barks Herb.
“No. It’s nature’s harbor, innit,” says perpetual optimist Charles (Key).
There are no hotels there, either. And Charles, Herb soon learns, is his idiosyncratic host — a jovial bloke who speaks in puns and is awash in money after winning the lottery. He’s plunking down a cool $500,000 for Herb to pluck his guitar strings on the beach.
But Charles has left out some important details about the gig: Herb will be performing for only him (“er, less than 100 people,” he fudges) and he’ll be joined by Nell Mortimer (Mulligan), his ex-girlfriend and ex-bandmate, who he doesn’t speak to anymore. These days she’s enjoying the quiet life in Portland, Oregon, with new boyfriend Michael (Akemnji Ndifornyen), selling homemade chutney. Both musicians desperately need the money.
Why is Charles emptying his pockets for a one-night-only show? He’s a superfan, yes, but so was his late wife Marie who died five years earlier. Listening to McGwyer Mortimer has kept his love alive, even as Herb and Nell’s passion is ancient history. He’s asked them here to honor Marie’s memory.
That added depth and hint of sadness are what make the movie.
When the pair are thrust together, they’re warm as Antarctica. And stubborn Herb refuses to play the old hits lest they open old wounds. Soon, though, they’re both cracking smiles and feeling the magic again.
In less capable hands, playing a demanding famous singer could stumble into parody, but Basden never leans on cliches. His celebrity temper is finely tuned — not “Spinal Tap” — and the actor makes a relatable mid-life crisis out of Herb’s pathetic ploys to stay relevant. He’s a lovable jackass.
And he effortlessly clicks with Mulligan, who is earthy and effervescent as Nell — like Stevie Nicks if Fleetwood Mac singer was your suburban next-door neighbor. Because of her resume, the actress is not usually associated with lightness. Yet she’s a dream in this genre. The grace and gravitas that follow her like the train of a dress add complexity and stakes to a silly situation.
They duet on original songs that sound authentically of their era. And they’re quite good.
But “Wallis Island” is really Charles’ story. Key, a British comedian who’s lesser known stateside, is frightfully funny and naturally endearing as a man whose goofy cheer protectively conceals his pain. He owns the screen whenever he’s on it.
And, as Key piles joke upon joke, the viewer never tires of the bit. It only gets funnier. The actor is perfect for the part, which is probably because he and Basden penned the screenplay that’s hysterical, life-affirming and delicately emotional.
The man’s 48, but once audiences watch this film, they’ll be banging down the door to see more of him. “Wallis Island” will open many doors for Key.
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