‘The Ballad of Wallis Island’ Had a Long Journey Back to the Big Screen

‘The Ballad of Wallis Island’ Had a Long Journey Back to the Big Screen

Almost two decades ago a pair of fresh-faced British sketch comedians armed with a good idea and an able director with a cache of film stock made a charming short film called “The One and Only Herb McGwyer Plays Wallis Island.” The 25-minute outing won a prize at the 2008 Edinburgh Film Festival, was nominated … Read more

‘The Ballad of Wallis Island’ Review: A Sour Note

‘The Ballad of Wallis Island’ Review: A Sour Note

Like many of us nowadays, I needed a reason to laugh. My mistake — encouraged by the offbeat bona fides of the British performers Tom Basden and Tim Key — was expecting “The Ballad of Wallis Island” to provide one. Bereft of chuckles or even a substantial story, this maudlin musical fable never escapes the … Read more