The Ballad of Wallis Island

Loved it, great writing, and real feeling to it. Key was great in it, and it wasn't far short of perfect as a first watch.

Loved the writing on this.

Just a small and really sweet movie :)

When you win the lottery, which celebrities will you trap together on an island?

Have we seen most of the themes in this movie before? Absolutely. We've seen people brought together under false pretenses in sooooo many movies. What makes this movie unique is that ultimately the film wasn't about any of that. While we watched the former lovers do their dance throughout the movie, the host was kind of lurking around the perimeter of the movie. And as the aforementioned dance ends, the lovable lonely guy comes to the front of the movie and it makes for a really great ending. This was a sneaky-goof movie (and unique!), and I really enjoyed it.

follow me at https://IHATEBadMovies.com or facebook IHATEBadMovies

This movie has a lot of heart.

To be real honest… this movie was extremely boring.

90 minutes of Sidekick Simon..Yes please!!

Charming and poignant. Very good performances all 'round.

The Ballad of Wallis Island – A Quiet Study in Isolation
The Ballad of Wallis Island doesn’t announce itself with big moments or bold storytelling. It’s quiet, patient, and deeply observant — a film more interested in the spaces between people than in anything they actually say.

There’s a kind of magic here, but not the wand-waving kind. It’s in the setting — a bleak and beautiful island where the skies rarely clear and everything seems to echo with a quiet ache. The pacing is unhurried, reflective. Whether that’s a nod to the rhythms of island life or just the film’s own confidence, it works.

At its center are four characters, each living out a different kind of isolation. Some are painfully aware of their loneliness, others seem almost comfortable in it. A few are fooling themselves. The film never spells any of this out — it just lets you watch as these people shift slightly in each other's orbit. Not everyone connects. But the fact that some try is enough to carry the film’s emotional weight.

Carrie Mulligan’s performance anchors the tone beautifully. Her presence softens the tension, adds a sense of stillness that feels earned. When she’s offscreen, the unease creeps back in.

The visuals are restrained but rich — mostly grey tones, soft light, and subdued color. There’s one stained glass window that quietly stands out, like a whisper of potential or beauty that still exists in spite of everything. That kind of detail — quiet but pointed — is everywhere if you’re paying attention.

Sound design is minimal, and the music is woven in like a supporting texture rather than a highlight. It never intrudes. Instead, it shades scenes gently, reminiscent of the mood you’d find in an Alexi Murdoch track — soulful and subtle, but never sentimental.

The film doesn’t chase resolution. It builds pressure and lets it release in small, human ways. There’s no grand catharsis, just a few gestures that suggest healing is possible — even if it’s slow, partial, and silent.