In The Ballad of Wallis Island (2025), two pop/folk musicians reunite to make some money through playing a gig on Wallis Island, off the coast of England. One musician, Herb (Tom Basden), is male; the other, Nell (Carey Mulligan), is female. An odd fan named Charles (Tim Key) hired them. Nice Nell, the singer and sharer of Herb’s music, much appeals again to Herb. He desires that they go back to performing together, because his love for Nell is reigniting. Nell, however, is now married.

Ballad was directed knowingly by James Griffiths. The screenplay, written by Basden and Key, is rather schematic but still sapid and humane. The performances are delightfully strong. Charles, it must be said, is a naif who talks too much; and, for my part, I wish there had been less Charles and more Nell. Oh, well . . .