The Ballad of Wallis Island movie review

The quieter corner of the United Kingdom seems to have something to be inspired, the subtly chewy, slightly dramatic well-being cinema: from “the Englishman who climbed to a hill and came down from a mountain” to “the Englishman who climbed into the bus and drove to the end of the world”-green meadows and wet researchers with thick skulls are obviously a reliable foundation for films, which is not a revolution represent, but charmingly sweeten the day.

In this tradition, there is now also a film that could have been marketed as well in Germany as “the Englishman who traveled to a Welsh island and found music”: “The Ballad of Wallis Island“Is revolving a folk musician in the crisis, his muse/ex-partner, who got out of the shop and a socially ungench superfan. And” Cuban Fury “director James Griffiths stages the Welsh island's mood itself” Promising Young Woman “mimin Carey Mulligan …

Herb McGwyer (Tom Basden) is seduced into a strange gig with a rich fee: he should give a private beach concert on the island of Valais Island and mainly play songs from the time, to which he was still a folk duo with his ex nell Mulligan (Carey Mulligan). Only on the hilly, sparsely populated island near the coast of Wales does he get to know his client: The single, constantly braising eccentric Charles Heath (Tim Key) houses Herb in his property – and absolutely wants to be the only guest at the concert, which is why he didn't even invite the friend Amanda (Sian Clifford) friend!

Herb could be afraid that he went on a creepy stalker. But then it turns out that Nell should also occur – and Charles actually pursues touching intentions. But only because the clock is clearly specified, does not automatically follow harmony …

No wonder Tim Key is so much the role

“The Ballad of Valais Island” was written by the leading actors Tom Basden and Tim Key himself-and seems in particular to be tailored: The actor who recently struck Bong Joon-Hos “Mickey 17” as a man in the pigeon costume is also successful as a stand-up comedian. As a hermit Charles, he plays his feel in a harmless manner in a harmless effect in social matters and to have surprising borns out of confused babbles: the lonely millionaire, who babbles like a waterfall, has everything it needs! But thanks to his faithoofoofen look and shy smile, you can never be angry for him. Behind the nervous concept of concepts is too clearly a soul longing for harmony. The fact that Key is so easy to do this role should not be only because he shaped it himself.

Instead, he and the sympathetic-authentically suffering from the fact that they have already played these roles under Griffiths' direction: “The Ballad of Wallis Island” is based on the short film “The One and only Herb McGwyer Plays Island”, which was also published in 2007, which was also written by Key and Bag. The first act of her new feature film is now a detailed, staged remake, in which key proves an even better hand for comedy. Meanwhile, new horizons come up in the second act of “The Ballad of Valais Island” as soon as they are newly created for the feature film on the island: Nell and her husband Michael (Akemnji NdiFornyen).

“The one and only Herb McGwyer Plays Valais Island” told about a solo artist that is dapped into the commercial trap. In “The Ballad of Wallis Island”, Herb McGwyer is a folk musician who has been looking for a fresh sound and new private drive since the separation from his muse, vocal partner and great love. Nell has found all of her harmony for autumn frustration: as a chutney manufacturer, she lives the dream of a humble, modest person often sung in folk. In addition, her husband is a passionate bird observer and absolutely understanding. He would never get the idea of ​​continuing to continue any jealousy.

Such a fine-mash is missing Charles: Several times, he emphasizes in Michael presence that Nell and Herb were an incredibly great couple of music and lovers- and how a shame it is that they are now separated. The question of whether Charles simply does not think before he opens his mouth or plans to couple his idols again becomes a narrative driving force of the middle third of “The Ballad of Wallis Island”. Even more important is more importantly inspired by the reunion to his musical roots: The tart, tinkering on a forced and mainstream pop album, is again liked to find his old style and the songs associated with pain from the past.

Carey Mulligan only plays the second fiddle

But Herb threatens to fall from one extreme to the next – and to exchange his calculated, radical new formation against the cramped imitation of the past. This creates a sensitive narrative about healthy nostalgia that consoles the injured soul and the pain intensifying efforts to accelerate the return of an irretrievably concluded phase of life. Mulligan fans should be prepared for the BAFTA award winner to be patiently and with a joke-encountered role in her Charles and Herbs, but is little opportunity to explore Nell's inner life. This is a missed opportunity!

Even the somewhat cumbersome transitions between the narrative thirds sometimes reduce visual enjoyment. But what “The Ballad of Wallis Island” ultimately has to say about new beginnings and comforting music knows about these shortcomings. Especially since this action in witty-in-house metaphor and varied locations embedded: The title-giving island can also serve as a one-dimensional postcard idyll as it knows how to appear daunting-research and characterful-as well as the central figures of the film, its music and the thought of a past period that can no longer be brought back.

Conclusion: The three acts of “The Ballad of Wallis Island” interlock a bit bumpy and “On education“Star Carey Mulligan is not sufficiently challenged. But a well-coordinated main actor double, a rugged, beautiful island mood and touching-smart thoughts about the power of music still make this tragicomedy pleasant well-being cinema with heart and wit.