The Ballad of Wallis Island
Published August 24, 2025
Film info
- Title The Ballad of Wallis Island
- Director James Griffiths
- Year 2025
- Run time 1hr 40m
- Genres Comedy, Music, Drama
- Tagline He's getting the band back together
An eccentric lottery winner who lives alone on a remote island tries to make his fantasies come true by getting his favourite musicians to perform at his home.
Live blog
| Time | Comment |
|---|---|
| 2:43 | What an incredible island. |
| 5:20 | “A hotel in all but name. And facilities.” |
| 8:06 | Dame Judi Drenched is perfection. |
| 15:24 | Love a shop that offers a barrow delivery experience. |
| 22:11 | He’s invited her to the island too, hasn’t he? |
| 30:02 | How can you sleep with a tap running all the time? |
| 36:53 | Who would buy hair like that? |
| 41:45 | “She’s one person, Charlie. She’s not going to start a mosh pit.” |
| 51:48 | Heartbreaking to be amazing at the serve and not the return! |
| 58:23 | Booooo lanterns. |
| 1:07:27 | Can you imagine Fleetwood Mac on a deserted island like this? |
| 1:15:22 | “For what it’s worth, I’m sorry. I really didn’t mean to do whatever it is that I’ve done.” STOP IT. |
| 1:35:11 | So cute. |
Thoughts
This film is perfect. Pretty much every single sentence, every scene, every moment is spot on - funny where it can be, heartbreaking in the right moments, but warming overall. Tim Key really has this character done well, lonely and chatty and nonsensical but with his heart in the right place. And the two musicians play it perfectly - I love, as well, that Carey’s character doesn’t come back or there’s no big dramatic gesture at the end. This is real life, even in its slightly fantastical state. I could watch this over and over, I loved it. Five stars aren’t enough.
Rating: 5 / 5