The Ballad of Wallis Island (M)

Carey Mulligan stars in this charming comedy, in which an eccentric lottery winner bankrolls an unwitting reunion of his favourite musical duo – who happen to be former lovers.

Musician Herb McGwyer travels to Wallis Island, Wales, to play a private gig for a huge fee – courtesy of resident millionaire Charles. Herb isn’t too pleased to learn that the gig is actually a reunion show with his former bandmate and lover, Nell Mortimer. As the pair rehearse, old tensions resurface and sparks fly, while the relentlessly positive Charles tries to keep the peace and his dream gig on track. Combining laughs with deep emotion, this beautifully performed ballad is pitch perfect.

Cast: Carey Mulligan, Tom Basden, Tim Key, Sian Clifford

Director: James Griffiths

★★★★★ "Mulligan, as usual, is note-perfect" DAILY MAIL UK

★★★★★ "one of the best romcoms since The Odd Couple (1968), which it closely resembles. It’s a love story and a bromance elevated by the actors' superb comic timing" ARTS DESK

★★★★★ "There's something about the onslaught of time, the aging of the central trio, and, indeed, yourself that makes the quirks, laughs, and misty-eyed moments of The Ballad of Wallis Island all the more powerful in the present day." RTÉ

★★★★★ "One of the most relentlessly funny films I’ve seen... A gloriously British movie, The Ballad of Wallis Island is just a little bit magic – and thoroughly cast its spell over me." METRO UK

★★★★★ "The Ballad of Wallis Island is the best British movie of the year so far, and it's barely a contest. You'll immediately want an encore." DIGITAL SPY

★★★★ "All the performances are powerful yet understated, making this gently touching and life-affirming film a very sweet song indeed." SUN UK

★★★★ "Bit by bit, the quirkiness makes way for something more in a beautiful exploration of what music means to us." THE LIST

★★★★ "[a] funny, melancholy yarn of a folk duo reunited by oddball superfan" GUARDIAN