The Ballad of Wallis Island review – funny, melancholy yarn of a folk duo reunited by oddball superfan

Tim Key bring his trademark pleasant awkwardness to the island-owner who pays Tom Basden and Carey Mulligan to come and play for himFictional folk duo McGwyer Mortimer (played by Tom Basden and Carey Mulligan) were big, back in the day – the day in question being circa 2009. But they weren’t that big: not Dylan-big, not even Cat Stevens-big. They graced some NME covers, they played Glastonbury, but even at the height of their success they could definitely pop to the shops without getting mobbed. Still, you’re always Dylan-big to your biggest fans, and Charles (Tim Key) is exactly that. He’s also a reclusive lottery winner, giving him the motive and the means to stage a private reunion gig for an audience of one on a remote island.Basden and Key starring in a film about a folk band reunion might have you expecting something a little bit sketch comedy, but this turns out to be a different beast: a funny but also melancholy piece of work. It’s more interested in maintaining a consistent and sincere emotional connection than in wild virtuoso showboating. Continue reading...

Comments

Culture

The Gold’s Charlotte Spencer: ‘I worry that acting is becoming only accessible for the rich’

Independent

Comments

Culture

The Gold’s Charlotte Spencer: ‘I worry that acting is becoming only accessible for the rich’

Who can – or could – ever replace David Attenborough?

BBC’s ‘brilliant’ true crime drama made me question my own morals

The ‘inappropriate’ Peppa Pig episode that was banned in Australia twice

Ocean with David Attenborough is more horror film than nature documentary

Finding Margaret by Andrew Pierce review: A moving tale of abandonment

Good Night, and Good Luck viewers make surprise discovery while tuning in to see George Clooney live on CNN

How India's 'biggest art deal' buried MF Husain masterpieces in a bank vault

An ancient writing system confounding myths about Africa

The Gold Season 2 on BBC One review: still a criminally good time

Christian rock band Newsboys respond to singer Michael Tait sexual assault allegations

Paddy McGuinness reveals his unexpected celebrity crush ‘he wasn’t supposed to have’

How to manage the flurry of text messages on any given day? Texting etiquette explained.

Bruce Springsteen joined by Paul McCartney at Liverpool concert

A Sikh Captain America? Why religious diversity matters in the comics universe

Obama's doc criticizes Biden physician for failing to require cognitive test

Lebanon aims to lure back Gulf tourists to jumpstart its war-torn economy

EastEnders star Jamie Borthwick suspended by BBC for disabled slur in latest Strictly scandal

EastEnders star suspended over 'unacceptable' language

New action horror movie has critics saying ‘this is what streaming is for’

Tyler Perry’s new Netflix movie lands impressive audience score after dividing critics

Jared Leto denies sexual misconduct after facing accusations from multiple women

Strictly star Nick Knowles, 62, marries Katie Dadzie, 34, in lavish six-figure ceremony

Cynthia Erivo and The Vivienne among ‘LGBT+ changemakers’ in 2025 Pride List

Mormon Wives’ Jessi Ngatikaura breaks silence on Demi rift and split rumours after explosive finale

Trump orders federal government to help bulk up U.S. drone industry

Flights at Reagan National to be stopped for Army parade, fireworks show

New video shows DoorDash driver pulling up next to plane at Chicago O'Hare

Adam Sandler offers Derrick Henry a movie cameo if he rushed for 2,000 years this season

U.K. judge warns of risk to justice after lawyers cited fake AI-generated cases in court

X for the win? Users were glued to the Elon Musk v. President Trump blowup

Medaina Festival transforms Petra into a new frontier for electronic music

Bill Maher compares Musk-Trump feud to Blake Lively and Justin Baldoni legal drama

New Doctor Who rumours have fans worried show is ‘out of ideas’

James Whale makes heartbreaking admission in terminal cancer update

JoJo Siwa offers glimpse inside romantic cottage staycation with Chris Hughes

Dawn French apologises for 'mocking tone' in video about Israel-Hamas conflict

'Wait Wait' for June 7. 2025: With Not My Job guest Jeff Gordon

Why Do Broadway Actors Love to Work Summers at The Muny in St. Louis?

Massive Attack at LIDO Festival: 'a moment of unity and a call to action'

Divisive horror movie full of ‘grotesque monsters’ now streaming on BBC iPlayer

Can an American pope apply U.S.-style fundraising to fix Vatican finances?

Brothers bring boxing back to Fenway after 70 years and hope to revitalize the sport in Boston

David Attenborough's 'Ocean' is a brutal, beautiful wakeup call from the sea

How Hollywood took over Broadway and obliterated box office records

Sarah Jessica Parker was ‘shocked’ by backlash against And Just Like That’s Che Diaz

Dawn French issues apology following backlash to Gaza video

‘Exquisite’ Amazon Prime show cancelled after one series despite 85% Rotten Tomatoes score

Dawn French says sorry for posting 'one-sided' Gaza video

Robbie Williams at the Emirates Stadium review: 'a grand scale This Is Your Life'

Wayne Lewis death: Atlantic Starr singer dies, aged 68

Con Mum true story – how chef Graham Hornigold was scammed by dying ‘mother’

Robbie in London was over the top, bizarre yet also sincere – only he can do that

Sam Fender at the London Stadium: Geordie Springsteen bosses biggest eve gig

Stephen King puts the Trump and Musk feud into perspective with one scathing question

‘Doctor Who’s finale infuriated fans – but the next series will fix everything’

Alan Yentob’s final interview set to air on BBC

Sarah Jessica Parker makes candid comment about awkward And Just Like That scene: ‘None of this is my idea’

Amazon cancels show from Gilmore Girls creator after just one season

I haven’t fallen over on stage yet but if I do I’ll joke about it, says Justin Currie