I got a pre-screening pass from Focus Features to screen their new film, “The Ballad of Wallis Island” starring Tom Basden as Herb McGwyer, a solo musician, formerly of a folk duet, McGwyer Mortimer, who is lured to the remote Wallis Island in the UK by Charles, an eccentric millionaire (played by Tim Key) offering him £500,000 to play a private gig for a small audience. Carey Mulligan stars as Nell Mortimer, Herb’s former partner and the other half of the duet.

In present day, Nell is married, sells homemade chutney and lives in Portland, Oregon. Herb’s music career is still going strong and he insists he hasn’t gone “commercial.” The reunion is a whirlwind that stirs up emotions of the past that resurface when they begin to play their old music again. Charles, who planned the reunion, is right in the middle of it all, drinking in the fruit of his meddling.

This film was wonderful and charming and hilarious and romantic and nostalgic.

For me, the film brought back bits of grief that has mostly dissipated, but also the work I have done personally to move past the loss.

The film was directed by James Griffiths, and the writers were the film’s two leads: Tom Basden and Tim Key. This movie features music written by Tom Basden, which soared in the film’s score and in his original songs.

It was a lovely film that releases in theaters on April 18, 2025. If the film is playing near you, I would recommend searching it out to see it. It was very well done and so so funny!