Institute History
Description
Eccentric lottery winner, Charles, dreams of getting his favorite musicians, McGwyer Mortimer, back together. His fantasy turns into reality when the bandmates and former lovers accept his invitation to play a private show at his home on Wallis Island. Old tensions resurface as Charles tries desperately to salvage his dream gig.
There is no more picturesque location to set a charming British comedy than this fictional remote Welsh island. It’s a romantic locale that sets the scene for the remarkable chemistry that longtime comedy partners Tom Basden and Tim Key (Two Films About Loneliness, 2015 Sundance Film Festival), who write and star here, have developed with each other. For The Ballad of Wallis Island, Basden and Key reunite with director James Griffiths to adapt the trio’s 2007 short film, The One and Only Herb McGwyer Plays Wallis Island. To perfect their winning formula this time around they’ve invited a dream duo of actresses Carey Mulligan and Sian Clifford to come play in their sandbox, creating a tale so humorous and lovely that you’ll be humming its songs long after the credits roll.—Charlie Sextro
Available in person only.
Screenings include closed and open captions, as well as audio description.