The Ballad of Wallis Island (2025)
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A former folk star and his estranged musical partner reunite on a remote island for a performance commissioned by a wealthy, eccentric fan.
The story
Musician Herb McGwyer, formerly half of folk duo McGwyer Mortimer, arrives on the remote Wallis Island off the coast of Wales. He is there at the request of Charles Heath, an eccentric widowed superfan who has commissioned him to perform for a private audience. Herb, who has transitioned to commercial pop and is struggling in his solo career, hopes to use the substantial fee to fund his next album. However, the arrival of his former musical and romantic partner, Nell Mortimer, complicates the situation, forcing the two former partners to confront their shared past while performing for their devoted fan.
Full plot (contains spoilers)
Herb McGwyer travels to Wallis Island to perform for Charles Heath, a wealthy widower who spent his fortune on his late wife and now lives in isolation. Herb is joined by his former partner Nell Mortimer, who has retired from music. Tensions arise when Nell discovers Charles is paying her less than Herb. Despite their friction, they rehearse their old songs for Charles. During the stay, Herb and Nell reconnect, and Herb confesses his lingering feelings for her, only to learn she is pregnant and moving on. After a series of events including a misunderstanding about a suicide attempt and a realization of Charles's devotion to his late wife, Herb performs a final show for the audience. In the end, Herb leaves his old guitar and the money for Charles, and Charles, now performing under his real name, records a new folk song.
- First release year
- 2025
- Runtime (minutes)
- 100
- Production countries
- United Kingdom
- Original languages
- English
- Directors
- James Griffiths
- Writers
- Tim Key · writer; Tom Basden · writer
- Cast and characters
- Tom Basden · Herb McGwyer/Chris Pinner; Tim Key · Charles Heath; Carey Mulligan · Nell Mortimer; Akemnji Ndifornyen · Michael; Sian Clifford · Amanda
- Genres
- comedy-drama
- Themes
- nostalgia; fame; lost love
- Tone and mood
- comedy-drama; whimsical
- Setting
- A remote island off the coast of Wales.
- Premise and plot tags
- musical; road trip; romance
- Source material / true-story basis
- The One and Only Herb McGwyer Plays Wallis Island
- Reception
- The film received generally favorable reviews, with critics praising its comedy and musical elements.
- Reported review scores
- Metacritic · score: 78 · scale: 100 · review count: 34
- Awards and nominations
- Best Short Film · Short Film · win
- Production trivia
- The film was originally titled One For the Money.; Many lines from the 2007 short film appear verbatim in the feature film.; The production was completed in 18 days in Wales.
Film metadata comes from the open sources listed in Credits & Contact. Catalogue details may be incomplete.
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