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Metro
27 minutes ago
- Entertainment
- Metro
The 18-year journey of new movie dubbed 'one of the greatest British films ever'
Today marks the release of one of the most quietly anticipated British films of 2025, one 18 years in the making which has been heaped with praise by critics. Rom-com extraordinaire Richard Curtis has proclaimed The Ballad of Wallis Island 'one of the 10 greatest British movies of all time' and it's currently sitting pretty at 98% on Rotten Tomatoes. The brainchild of actor-writers Tim Key and Tom Basden, alongside director James Griffiths, this feature-length film has been painstakingly cultivated from a 2007 short that was nominated for a Bafta. Expanding the story of eccentric lottery winner Charles (Key), who invites alt-folk singer Herb McGwyer (Basden) to play a gig on his remote island, by adding three-time Oscar nominee Carey Mulligan as Herb's musical and romantic ex, Nell Mortimer, has given the film an attention-grabbing Hollywood shine. But it hasn't in any way dimmed the comedic genius of Key and Basden's writing, as they negotiate the central trio's evolving relationship. Charles is thrilled to have McGwyer-Mortimer together again, while Nell, who finds Charles's wittering endearing, is trepidatious – and Herb, who knew nothing of his ex's invitation (and also finds Charles very annoying), is livid. It's the perfect set-up for a juicy drama, as well as providing an impressive barrage of one-liners and puns – mainly from Key's Charles, who just can't help himself, in a winning performance. To view this video please enable JavaScript, and consider upgrading to a web browser that supports HTML5 video 'You just commit to these characters, however bizarre and observed they feel at the time. And Tim's really good at finding the truth in those moments; even though he's playing an eccentric character, you still have to believe that he's a real person,' director Griffiths tells me of the film's impressive ability to expertly shape characters. We're speaking at Sands International Film Festival, held in St Andrews, at the end of April. The Ballad of Wallis Island screened as the opening film to a raucous reception; I don't remember the last time I had such a joyous experience at the cinema. Despite the impressive rhythm and patter of the gags, Griffiths says that there wasn't much improvisation on set – rather Key and Basden started 'with a very clear observation of people'. They have been a writing and performing partnership, on and off, for years on radio and the stage, as well as enjoying individual success – Key is recognisable as Alan Partridge's Sidekick Simon, while Basden has been in Ricky Gervais's After Life and is the co-creator of Plebs. Griffiths first met Key and Basden in the noughties while they were performing their slapdash double-act sketch show Freeze!, later collaborating with them on their short, The One and Only Herb McGwyer Plays Wallis Island. They've been in it for the long haul together since then, guiding Wallis Island carefully through to its feature-length destiny. For Griffiths, who is fittingly wearing a McGwyer-Mortimer tour T-shirt for our chat, he's clear on what he needs to bring to the table as the unofficial third member of the duo: capturing Key and Basden's dynamic. 'My job is to make sure that I've got the camera in a place that allows them to do that and not interfere with that process. So often I'm cross-shooting, or I'm putting both of them in the frame, just so we can capture the natural rhythm that they have, the natural music.' As he points out: 'A lot of it is these very small interferences with what the other person is saying, so that's a delicate kind of musical balance to get right so it doesn't feel annoying or jarring but just keeps the pace moving along.' This, in a nutshell, is what The Ballad of Wallis Island manages to do so supremely well, and the group's longstanding friendship likely has a lot to do with that – Griffiths also notes that his role is to 'set them up for success'. 'I'm really passionate about seeing my friends shine – I love them, and I know I wanted to capture their magic,' he adds. 'But also there's a discipline to that, and they're very good at staying in their lanes, and hopefully I am in mine, and we all respect each other on set.' I'm really passionate about seeing my friends shine I quiz Griffiths on how on earth they were able to exercise restraint in their approach to the film's near-relentless humour to find that balance. The director agrees that they could have 'gone forever' trying new puns (you may perhaps wish they did). 'But you have to call it at some point – and that's hard because I'm enjoying myself like they are. But there's a thing with comedy, and I think we're all quite allergic to it, when you can feel actors over-indulging that style of improvisation, and it kind of loses track and story.' Griffiths admits that he still finds it really hard not to laugh while on set watching Key and Basden as the characters of Charles and Herb, after so many years. And Maestro star Mulligan was the same, although it helped that her character Nell warms to Charles immediately. 'The laughter in the scene is real,' Griffiths says of the Suffragette actress's reactions. '[Tim] genuinely tickles her, so that was a constant thing, having to kind of stay in character but also allow herself to laugh when genuinely the character would.' Mulligan's casting was 'crucial' for the film's success Griffiths insists, with him, Basden and Key agreed on the direction to take. 'We've obviously got a lot of friends in that comedy world who we talked about playing that role, but we were all keen to introduce a voice that wouldn't necessarily play the same instrument as those two. And all of our comedian friends, you feel like a lot of them would assimilate to that rhythm, and then that becomes, I think, too much.' In Mulligan, they found someone who could come in 'with their own very strong point of view', which for Griffiths 'grounded' the film. She also became a producer on The Ballad of Wallis Island and had the handy addition of her Mumford & Sons frontman husband Marcus, who helped with the harmonies Nell would perform during the film. Griffiths shares that the couple were big fans of Key's Late Night Poetry Programme on BBC Radio 4, so much so that Mulligan had previously asked Key to do something for her charity, War Child. He had said no – 'he doesn't do that stuff' – but it meant they had an in when they wrote their list of actors who could play Nell, and Mulligan 'was absolutely number one'. 'And [Tim] said, 'Oh, I know Carey.' We're like, 'Yeah, bulls**t, of course you know her.' And he wrote her the most important email he could have written, and she said yes immediately. It was a lovely moment when Marcus and he met and they swapped and signed each other's albums.' While many have described The Ballad of Wallis Island as a rom-com, Griffiths is hesitant to lump it in that category, the same as he and Key and Basden didn't want it to be a spoof either. 'I wanted the film to be a kind of fairy tale, to have a kind of magical realism – the setting of the island, and the sense of it being slightly timeless or placeless was intentional. Tonally, I wanted it to feel slightly other. I wanted it to be funny – obviously – entertaining, musical, and have a lot of heart.' Griffiths isn't a credited writer on the film, but he still considers the story a 'very personal' one – 'that grief of a relationship lost and trying to get back to it but never realising you can't get back to something'. The Ballad of Wallis Island has been steadily building hype since it premiered at Sundance Film Festival in January, which led to its inclusion at Sands, hosted by St Andrews' film studies department and lead sponsor AGBO, Marvel filmmakers Anthony and Joe Russo's studio. For Griffiths, his film is an ideal example of Sands' concept and mirrors the advice he would give to aspiring filmmakers. 'Stick with your peers that you grow up with, find those creative relationships that you really love, that you gut will tell you that you have an alignment with, and just cling to them – like Tom, Tim and I. 'Because however long that journey is, that's the thing you'll keep returning to. Don't think about making the next Hollywood movie, think about making something with your friends and building your voice and your peer group into a bunch of really fun, good filmmakers.' Considering the rapturous response The Ballad of Wallis Island has received so far, it seems sensible to take Griffiths' advice. With such a fairy tale end – finally – for this long-gestating film, I have to ask if he, Key and Basden have anything else in the works? More Trending 'I think we've all been slightly surprised by it. I had a feeling that we'd need to get Tom and Tim working, because they take their time, so I was trying to get ahead of it a bit,' he reveals. 'But there's conversations being had about the next thing, and there's a few projects that we're talking about. But it's mostly starting with characters. What dynamic do we want to create? '[We'll] make sure that we give it as much time and love as this one – not 18 years, but a few!' he laughs. 'So we're not in a hurry, but we do want to ride the wave a little bit, and while audiences are enjoying it see if we can give them something else.' The Ballad of Wallis Island is in cinemas from today. Got a story? If you've got a celebrity story, video or pictures get in touch with the entertainment team by emailing us celebtips@ calling 020 3615 2145 or by visiting our Submit Stuff page – we'd love to hear from you. MORE: 11 years on, I'm still mourning comedy legend Rik Mayall MORE: New BBC drama smashes records despite viewers 'switching off' after 5 minutes MORE: Don't expect another Lindsay Lohan rom-com on Netflix this Christmas
Daily Record
an hour ago
- Entertainment
- Daily Record
Netflix fans 'hooked' on 'unique' new series viewed 16 million times in a week
The five-part series is being hailed a 'masterpiece' by enthralled viewers. Netflix lovers have been enthralled by a new limited series that has already seen over 16 million views, and many have admitted binging the whole thing in one sitting. Featuring Julianne Moore, Meghann Fahy, Milly Alcock, and Kevin Bacon, Sirens debuted on the streaming service on May 22 and has swiftly climbed to the top spot in Netflix's global top 10 list of English TV shows. The five-part drama centres around "scrappy everywoman" Devon (portrayed by The White Lotus actress Meghann), who grows increasingly worried about her sister Simone's (House of the Dragon's Milly) unsettlingly close relationship with her new employer, the mysterious socialite Michaela Kell (Julianne). As Devon's suspicions about Michaela's opulent, cult-like lifestyle intensify, she stages an intervention to reconnect with her sister, oblivious to the challenges she'll encounter in a world far removed from her own, reports Surrey Live. The plot unfolds over a single eventful weekend at the Kells' extravagant beach estate. According to the series' synopsis, Sirens offers a sharp, sensual, and darkly humorous examination of women, power, and class. Viewers are hooked, with the series already boasting a 75 per cent rating on Rotten Tomatoes and a staggering 16,700,000 views. One viewer sung the show's praises on Rotten Tomatoes, saying: "Binged this in one sitting. Very entertaining." Another fan praised: "With superb acting, beautiful scenery of beachfront mansions, and a fast-paced storyline, this show was the perfect summer escape like a good beach read." Someone else remarked: "It's so good I binged it all this morning and I can't get enough of it." A fourth viewer praised the show, sharing: "Sirens is unique and special. I got hooked since minute one. A psychological and emotional series with a dark and classy sense of humor. "The performances are stellar; each character is meticulously developed and it allows you to see their complexities even in the shallow atmosphere of the cult. Hands down; this show hits a different level." Equally passionate views were found over on X, where one person stated: "Sirens is a masterpiece. You cannot convince me otherwise. It powerfully exposes how patriarchy and misogyny twist reality, turning women into villains while enabling men to evade accountability and rewrite the narrative in their favor. Insane!!" Another individual openly expressed their admiration: "Ok soooo, Sirens was f**king good. I wish it wasn't a limited series. It was so nuanced and written with an impressive amount of REALITY. That Milly Alcock was acting at a veteran level, it was almost eerie, give her a Globe AND an Emmy." Although Sirens joins shows like Adolescence as a limited series not set for a comeback, The Bold Type's Meghann has hinted that she sees potential for more. Speaking to Variety, she commented: "It ends in a very natural way, but I can imagine what the characters' worlds become." "I, for one, would love to know what happens to Michaela, where she goes. So I think it's definitely within the realm of possibility. We didn't talk about it on set, but I would love to do more." Molly Smith Metzler, whose play Elemeno Pea inspired Sirens and who also created the Netflix series Maid, has sparked some hope among followers. Speaking to Glamour magazine, she conveyed a deep connection with her characters: "These characters are real people to me. I wrote the play 15 years ago. I've been thinking about them this whole time. I could write them until the day I die." Opening up about the potential continuation of the story, she added: "I'd never say never, but could I do them justice in another season? I'd have to think about it." Sirens is available to watch on Netflix. Join the Daily Record WhatsApp community! Get the latest news sent straight to your messages by joining our WhatsApp community today. You'll receive daily updates on breaking news as well as the top headlines across Scotland. No one will be able to see who is signed up and no one can send messages except the Daily Record team. All you have to do is click here if you're on mobile, select 'Join Community' and you're in! If you're on a desktop, simply scan the QR code above with your phone and click 'Join Community'. We also treat our community members to special offers, promotions, and adverts from us and our partners. If you don't like our community, you can check out any time you like. To leave our community click on the name at the top of your screen and choose 'exit group'.
Tom's Guide
3 hours ago
- Entertainment
- Tom's Guide
Prime Video's latest No. 1 show is an addictive mystery thriller — and it's a must-watch for 'Gone Girl' fans
Prime Video has another hit original show on its hands, and it's already shaping up to be the show to binge this summer. The mystery thriller "The Better Sister" premiered this week (May 29) and wasted no time shooting straight to the top of the Prime Video top 10 list. Though "The Better Sister" hasn't exactly earned rave reviews (more on that in a bit), the show's a certified hit from the streamer as far as viewers are concerned. It's clear this riveting family drama with a criminal twist has found an audience now that it's streaming on Prime Video, with fans calling it the spiritual successor to "Gone Girl" they didn't know they needed. Based on the 2019 novel by best-selling author Alafair Burke, "The Better Sister" stars Jessica Biel and Elizabeth Banks as an estranged sibling duo with more baggage than an airport terminal. When one sister's husband (and the other's ex) is found murdered, the two must set aside their many, many differences and work together to clear their names and catch the real killer. With only eight episodes and plenty of 'just one more episode' cliffhangers, it's an easy binge-watch. If you've spotted this new series climbing the ranks and are curious whether it deserves a spot on your watchlist, here's everything you need to know about "The Better Sister." On the surface, Chloe (Biel) seems to have it all between her flourishing media career and picture-perfect home with her attorney husband Adam (Corey Stoll), and their teenage son Ethan (Maxwell Acee Donovan). But beneath that polished exterior lies a deep fracture: a strained relationship with her troubled sister Nicky (Banks), Adam's ex-wife and Ethan's biological mother, who has spent years grappling with addiction. After Chloe's husband is found murdered, the two are forced to reunite, reopening old wounds and unearthing long-buried secrets. The tension between the sisters is palpable, with subtle clues suggesting that Chloe may have stepped into the life Nicky once envisioned for herself before her battle with addiction derailed her marriage and endangered Ethan's safety. Suspicion for Adam's murder quickly falls on Nicky, but as the investigation unravels, Chloe begins to realize her sister may be the only person she can trust. Get instant access to breaking news, the hottest reviews, great deals and helpful tips. The series also features a strong supporting cast, including Kim Dickens as the in-your-face seasoned detective and Bobby Naderi as her affable partner in-training; Gabriel Sloyer as Jake, Adam's close friend and fellow high-profile lawyer; "ER" and "Lincoln" actress Gloria Reuben as the sisters' defense attorney; and Lorraine Toussaint as Chloe's boss and mentor. Matthew Modine, whom "Stranger Things" fans will recognize as Dr. Martin Brenner (a.k.a. Papa), also plays Adam and Jake's enigmatic boss. Critics are divided in their reviews of Prime Video's new thriller, with "The Better Sister" currently sitting at a 63% critics score on Rotten Tomatoes. But it seems like for fans of murder mysteries who aren't expecting anything ground-breaking, "The Better Sister" is definitely one to add to your watchlist. In her three-star review, The Guardian's Rachel Aroesti described the show as "a schadenfreude-packed take on streaming's favorite theme: watching sexy, successful people suffering terrible misfortune." "Whether you want catharsis and consolation in the form of Biel and Banks trading poor taste zingers between flashbacks to their communal childhood trauma is a matter of personal taste," she concluded. "But when it comes to reassuring downfalls, this decent-enough drama knows how to play the game." Collider's Taylor Gates was less charitable, calling the show "a tepid 'Big Little Lies' knock-off" that "pales in comparison to the modern classics of the genre" with a plot that somehow feels both overstuffed and stretched too thin at the same time. Meanwhile, Screenrant critic Grant Hermanns commended that show for its "great balance of mystery, comedy and character drama that makes it all the more exciting to watch." He added that it filled the void that "Gone Girl" left behind, even working "as something of a spiritual follow-up" to David Fincher's hit 2014 psychological thriller. In short, if you like whodunnits and messy family drama, you'll probably enjoy "The Better Sister." It's a breezy watch that'll keep you guessing, and even its critics said its twists were satisfyingly difficult to predict. If that all sounds up your alley, you can stream all eight episodes of "The Better Sister" on Prime Vide now. However, if the less-than-stellar reviews from critics have put you off, but you're still looking for your next binge watch, check out our guide to the best Prime Video shows for more great streaming recommendations.
Scotsman
4 hours ago
- Entertainment
- Scotsman
What has Chloe Pirrie been in? Here are 10 of the Scottish Dept. Q star's biggest roles to date
1 . Shell Chloe Pirrie's big screen debut came in British drama 'Shell'. She plays a 17-year-old girl who lives and works with her father in a petrol station in the remote Scottish Highlands. Sh edeams of leaving and seeing the world - but her dad has other ideas. Critically-acclaimed, it scores an impressive 90 per cent of review aggregator website Rotten Tomatoes. | Contributed
Daily Record
4 hours ago
- Entertainment
- Daily Record
'Mind-blowing' series is now available to stream for free
The critically-acclaimed series has a 93% Rotten Tomatoes rating, and is based on the real-life hunt for the Unabomber, who terrorised the US with a 20-year bombing campaign The celebrated US drama Manhunt: Unabomber, with an impressive 93% rating on Rotten Tomatoes, is now accessible for streaming at no cost in the UK. Initially launched on Netflix, the series has found its new home on STV Player, which serves viewers across the UK. Manhunt: Unabomber offers a dramatised retelling of the gruelling FBI pursuit to capture the 'Unabomber', a notorious criminal genius whose campaign of domestic terrorism spanned decades, resulting in three fatalities and 23 injuries. In this compelling eight-part series, A-list actor Sam Worthington portrays Jim "Fitz" Fitzgerald, a rookie FBI profiler determined to apprehend the cunning terrorist. The intelligence and skill of the Unabomber aren't the only hurdles for Fitz, as he confronts the internal struggles within the UNABOM Task Force – the joint law enforcement group established to pursue the Unabomber's case, reports Surrey Live. Although Fitz introduces the innovative technique of forensic linguistics to the investigation, it faces scepticism from his peers in the task force due to its unorthodox nature. With obstacles looming, the question remains whether Fitz can navigate the bureaucratic impediments to secure the capture of the mastermind behind two decades of terror in the United States. Adding to the star-powered cast, BAFTA nominee Paul Bettany features as Ted Kaczynski, the mathematical prodigy and ex-Berkeley professor, who was eventually exposed as the Unabomber in 1996. Critics have showered the series with accolades, with The Hollywood Reporter describing it as "interesting in its depiction of how years of using traditional methods and failing to catch America's most notorious serial bomber gave way to something experimental and new". The Los Angeles Times has extolled the series, which is part thriller, part true-crime drama, as a "win on all fronts". Fans of the Manhunt anthology can also indulge in the second series, Manhunt: Deadly Games, available on STV Player, following the FBI pursuit of the 1996 Olympic Games bomber. If Manhunt isn't quite your thing, STV Player offers a rich variety of alternatives. Among these are the Canadian legal drama Burden of Truth, the Irish police procedural Red Rock, and New Zealand's longest-standing soap opera, Shortland Street, all ready for viewing.
