Opening night of the 2025 Phoenix Film Festival charmed audiences with the premiere of The Ballad of Wallis Island. Based on an award winning short film by director James Griffith and co-written with star Tom Basden, the melodic tones compliment a relatable tale of love and loss that’s packed with endearing, sincere laughs in what feels like a spiritual successor in tone to the cult favorite Once.
Charles (Tom Key) is a psuedo-recluse and two (!) time lottery winner that lives alone on the remote Wallis Island pining over the days when his favorite band “McGywer Mortimer” were still together and touring. The big lug’s heart is bigger than his brain and when he uses his impressive winnings to invite the estranged folk musical duo to re-unite for a private performance on the island, all of their lives are profoundly affected. Herb McGywer (Tom Basden) and Nell Mortimer (Carey Mulligan) haven’t seen in each other in years and despite their still electric chemistry, old wounds threaten to ruin Charles’ dream concert event.
Tom Key’s performance as Charles is the glue that keeps the whole of The Ballad of Wallis Island together. He’s a loveable oddball on the surface, but he’s hurting deep down inside and Key’s eyes speak of sadness even when eliciting laughs at all his awkward buffoonery. The character does some truly questionable things including some gentle, but selfish manipulation of Herb and Nell that could have made Charles an unlikable guy in someone else’s hands, but his journey in the film is a satisfying one thanks to a great performance.
On the opposite end, Tom Basden has to walk a fine line as the most abrasive character in the film. Basden’s prickly, dejected demeanor of the former star is in stark contrast to his incredible guitar work and velvet voice highlighted throughout the film. Basden also does a great job as the straight man to Key’s comedic endeavors and has the largest character growth by the end of the film. The Ballad of Wallis Island is very careful not to dip too far into over-sentimentality, keeping the events and evolving relationships believable, especially when it comes to Herb McGwyer.
Despite the least screen time of the lead trio, Carey Mulligan is radiant as Nell. The unexpected nature of her arrival on the island and the electricity Mulligan shares with Basden absolutely sell these two as the one-time tumultuous musical force/couple. Mulligan glows in every scene that Nell and Herb share sans her husband (yes, husband) Michael (Akemnji Ndifornyen) whom is along for the trip. Mulligan’s sultry singing voice is a wonderful accompaniment to Basden’s and its easy for the audience to fall in the love with them as a couple, even though Michael is around and is a level headed, lovable dork.
Everything leads up to some unexpected results as the island excursion comes to a close in a refreshingly non-storybook ending. Not to worry though, the film remains an absolute charmer and leaves the audience with the warm fuzzies as it’s beautiful music and stunning island landscape give one last metaphorical hug as The Ballad of Wallis Island‘s credits roll.
Score: 4 out of 5