NZIFF: The Ballad of Wallis Island (2)

What would you do if you won the lottery? Charles answers the age-old question by inviting his favourite former folk duo to his remote island, where the estranged band members prove that some flames never die...

Charles (Tim Key) is an eccentric widower who lives remotely on picturesque Wallis Island. Having won the lottery (twice!), he invites former folk duo, McGwyer Mortimer, to the island to play for a (very) small audience. The trouble is, the once romantically involved Herb (Tom Basden) and Nell (Carey Mulligan) haven’t spoken in years and have no idea each other is coming.

The Ballad of Wallis Island is a story about addressing and moving on from the romanticised past. As the characters grapple with loneliness and fear about the uncertainty of the future, there is a delicate balance between the highs and lows that come with loving another person. Providing an intimate glimpse at the precarious space between finding and losing your sense of purpose, the film is equal parts melancholic and whimsical.

Life on the island is invigorated through affecting music and authentic performances. At the film’s heart is Charles, whose overzealous nature fuels the comedic relief and tragic underpinnings, while the musical talents of Herb and Nell will make you want to dust off your old guitar strings and write a love song to your past or future self. — Madison Marshall

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