Waking Ned Devine is one of those charming and funny movies that you just can't help liking. Surely everyone has pondered on what life would be like if one won the lottery. . . . . . . . . . In the quaint Irish town of Tullymore, an elderly pair of jokers, Jackie and Michael, discover that one of the villagers has won the National Lottery's First Division. There's a problem though - the villager in question is dead. And so Jackie and Michael embark on an increasingly complicated scheme to convince the lottery scrutineers that Ned Devine is in fact still alive and well, and eligible to claim the £7 million winnings.
It's a refreshing change to watch a comedy where the protagonists are largely - to put it bluntly - old. The late Ian Bannen and David Kelly turn in marvelous performances as the irascible duo. Not only do they manage to create and capture the humour of the film, they also touchingly portray the affection each character has for the other.
But it is its own unique brand of humour for which Waking Ned Devine will most likely be remembered. The motley collection of villagers should raise a few chuckles, and the sight of a naked scrawny old man tearing along the Irish byroads on a motorbike will leave the viewer in stitches. However, the rather macabre method of dispatch dealt to the story's 'villain', while it is funny at the time, doesn't bear thinking about too closely.
Interestingly, the movie was filmed in the Isle of Man, rather than Ireland; nevertheless, the scenery is beautiful, and is complemented by some stirring Irish music (although this is a little loud in comparison with the dialogue). Overall though, this is a great film to watch to unwind a little.
It's a refreshing change to watch a comedy where the protagonists are largely - to put it bluntly - old. The late Ian Bannen and David Kelly turn in marvelous performances as the irascible duo. Not only do they manage to create and capture the humour of the film, they also touchingly portray the affection each character has for the other.
But it is its own unique brand of humour for which Waking Ned Devine will most likely be remembered. The motley collection of villagers should raise a few chuckles, and the sight of a naked scrawny old man tearing along the Irish byroads on a motorbike will leave the viewer in stitches. However, the rather macabre method of dispatch dealt to the story's 'villain', while it is funny at the time, doesn't bear thinking about too closely.
Interestingly, the movie was filmed in the Isle of Man, rather than Ireland; nevertheless, the scenery is beautiful, and is complemented by some stirring Irish music (although this is a little loud in comparison with the dialogue). Overall though, this is a great film to watch to unwind a little.