Musician Herb McGwyer [Tom Basden] made his name in a popular folk duo with former creative and romantic partner Nell Mortimer [Carey Mulligan]. Now a struggling solo artist, Herb accepts a lucrative offer from eccentric lottery winner Charles Heath [Tim Key] to perform a private gig on a remote island. The appearance fee will fund Herb’s new album. But it turns out Charles – who has very personal reasons for organising the gig – has also invited Nell to play, forcing Herb into an unexpected McGwyer Mortimer reunion.

Co-writers and co-stars Tom Basden and Tim Key, alongside director James Griffiths, have delivered a winning crowd-pleaser with a perfect mix of humour and poignant character work. This film is a total charmer.

Mulligan brings heart to Basden’s wistful folk compositions, and Key babbles amiably, as this crowd-pleaser salutes the redemptive power of a singsong. – Irish Times

Basden does excellent work as a character, in contrast, whose face does the talking: a spiky presence, all low cut T-shirts, wounded ego and rounded shoulders. It’s a perfect performance both as an actor and, when the songs come along, as a musician. – Guardian

Ninety per cent of the writing is bad jokes – performed so snugly in character, they’re funnier than most good ones. 10 per cent is choked desolation, and very touching indeed. – Daily Telegraph

The best kind of crowd-pleaser: disarming, joyful and full of compassion for its oddball characters. – Variety

Warm, perceptive and quietly life-affirming… a big-hearted, consoling hug of a movie. – Empire Magazine

There are songs sung sweetly, insults hurled then retracted, and a balm of kindness in every frame that emerges from somewhere between Basden’s hangdog sensitivities and Key’s cherubic wit. – The Times [UK]

A bracing, windswept delight. – Time Out

It’s a love story and a bromance elevated by the actors’ superb comic timing and a sense of wonder. – The Arts Desk

96% Rotten Tomatoes

• THE BALLAD OF WALLIS ISLAND
• UK, 2025 | Language: English | Length: 1 hr 40 min | Cert: 12A
• Director: James Griffiths
• Cast: Tom Basden, Tim Key, Carey Mulligan, Sian Clifford
• Foreign language films are subtitled.
• Cert: CLUB for over 18s.

• BOOKING
• Tickets: €8.50/€7 concession.
• Cork Cine Club absorbs the cost of online booking fees.
• Online booking closes at 6pm on the night of the film.
• Pay at the door by card or cash if not sold out online.
• Exact change is appreciated.

SEE WWW.CORKCINECLUB.COM FOR ALL TEN FILMS IN CURRENT SEASON WHICH RUNS UNTIL THURSDAY 4 DECEMBER 2025.

Film schedule subject to change.