Sundance Sings the Praises of The Ballad of Wallis Island

When The Ballad of Wallis Island premiered at the Sundance Film Festival on January 25, The Daily Beast wrote that its “whimsy, comedy, and emotion” earned it “one of Sundance’s biggest standing ovations thus far.” James Griffiths’ music-filled tale is also a critical hit. In the film, a two-time lottery winner (Tim Key) manages to reunite his favorite musicians (Carey Mulligan and Tom Basden) to play a private concert for him on the remote island where he lives. Based on a short film that Griffiths, Basden, and Key made 18 years ago, the story and the characters have matured in remarkable ways since then.

For audiences and critics, the film’s charm proves irresistible. The Film Stage writes, “It’s a crowd-pleasing adult comedy that manages to be sentimental without being cloying, sweet without being saccharine.” RobertEbert.com notes, “The film bewitches you with its seemingly spontaneous humor, a cadre of original soulful folk tunes, and its adoration of the breathtaking surroundings.”

The music of Mortimer-McGwyer—the fictional band that Mulligan and Basden belonged to—serves as the film’s emotional soundtrack. The songs, all written by Basden, have “a warm texture, and…he and Mulligan make wonderful music together,” IndieWire writes, adding, “ The result is a cozy crowd pleaser with real heart and some lovely songs, and one that doesn’t trade honesty for predictable beats.” But beneath the charming comedy and enchanting music is a story of complex people and real emotions. Screen Daily writes, “Audiences will expect to laugh, but may be surprised to find themselves shedding a tear or two as well.”

The Ballad of Wallis Island will open in theaters on March 28, 2025.