Can you imagine a worse twist of fate than winning big on the lottery only to drop dead with the shock? Well that’s what happens to Ned Devine. Ned’s untimely demise doesn’t stop his neighbors from trying to make sure that Ned’s good fortune is not wasted. They hatch up a simple plan to claim the money and share it amongst all the villagers in Tully More all 52 of them.
Set in a picturesque Irish village, Waking Ned Devine is a charming rural comedy. Although not exactly an action-packed movie, (unless you include the naked dash on a motor bike – an absolute gem!), there is enough of a plot to hold the viewer’s interest. The strength of the movie is in the subtle Irish comedy. Waking Ned Devine is a gently funny movie – most of the humor derives from a clever and witty dialogue between its cast of eccentric characters – a great example is the opening scene involving a piece of apple tart!!
Waking Ned Devine gives us a glimpse of everyday village life in rural Ireland – where your business is everyone’s business, there are few secrets, and there’s little to do with your money other than spend it at the local pub. It reminds us that the smaller the community, the more dependent everyone is on each other, and that having lots of money isn’t the most important thing in life.
The scenery is idyllic (although not Irish – the film was actually shot on the Isle of Man), and the original score by Shaun Davey reflects the setting of the movie – a real treat for lovers of Irish music.
If there’s only one thing you remember after watching this feel-good, lighthearted Irish film, it will probably be this: if you have an important phone call to make, don’t use a public phone booth!!
i have just seen this film and as an irish man i can assure you that this is as an inaccurate portrait of rural ireland thats possible.
look i live in rural ireland and here are some facts for you, every village has its drug dealers ,botox clinics and bmw’s fill the roads . ireland is much richer per capita than usa,much better educated , much less religious and far more cynical.
ask yourself why this crap was filmed on the isle of man a british territory? because no village like this exists in ireland. ireland full of mc- manshions and has a very young demographic. do yourself a favour and google irelands gdp or any other indicator of wealth and wellbeing and see how it surpasses the us and virtually every other country on the globe.
you should not reinforce the stereotype of the ignorant american.