AlexiaFranckVincent I purchased the film in a videolibrary in 2005 but I watched it yesterday. My 15 children watched it without my authorization, they called me and said "Daddy, watch it". I decided to see it with my sister because she loved old movies and old techniques using by cameramen and director. During the movie, I was lost a few times that's why I don't understand the film and I fell a sleep such as when Mikael was without clothes I was surprising and I remember my children have seen this however my sister was very interested by the film she really love Maurice the child of Maggie, and she cried during Ned's funeral. I'm actually thinking claiming my money back. I will never purchase a movie in this videolibrary again. The film is meant to be humorous, but it's less funny than Alien. The movie is so old than when I caught the DVD I missed to have tetanos. Except this, the actors are well-played and the characters are interesting. The plot is well thought-out. I regret buying this film. I wasted 44 euros in this DVD and I feel like the video library wiped its bottom with my banknotes, and acting the same way that Jackie when he hangt the cheque on the target. Even my wife didn't like it, and when the film finished, she said «We wasted our evening. There where Inspector Derrick on France 2.» To put in a nutshell, I think that's it's one of the worst movie I've ever seen.

popcorninhell In a word, Waking Ned Devine is delightful. It brings to mind similar small-town comedies like Cold Turkey (1971) The Full Monty (1997) and more recently The Amateurs (2005) only with a decidedly more Irish sense of humor. The film opens with the elderly Jackie (Bannen) and wife Annie (Flanagan) watching the lottery on TV. Jackie has been playing for years and isn't the least bit surprised he's not a winner. The next day there are rumors about town that someone in the village had indeed won big and in an attempt to ferret them out, everyone starts playing nice. Among the suspected winners is Pig Finn (Nesbitt) a poor farmer with a crush on local beauty Maggie (Lynch). After a while Jackie finds out the winner was elderly fisherman Ned Devine (Keogh) who died from the shock of it.From that point on the movie remodels into a bit of a caper in the style of Whisky Galore (1949). Jackie and his friend Michael O'Sullivan (Kelly) decide it's best to claim the money for themselves (it's what Ned would have wanted), and attempt to defraud the lottery to the dismay of the sensible Maggie who just as soon not see her husband in jail. They come up with a plan which all turns in on itself when the Lotto Observer comes to the sleepy town of Tullymore making inquiries.The film's state of mind is one of serene goofiness. We laugh but not in the same way you would an overly broad piece of American slapstick. We're laughing with the eccentric townsfolk not at them. It's a little story about little people doing things of such importance to them, that you as the audience can't help but invest in their happiness. It helps that the entire film takes place in Ireland (though really on The Isle of Man). The stunning greenly beauty of the island helps put these characters into perspective. Every small village home and tiny store seems to melt into the rolling hills, rocky cliffs and leafy wood. There's almost a sense of nobility in how these people live and the relationships that they have formed with one another.Everyone in the community of Tullymore does a fine job as an ensemble though if one were to point at a stand out it would be David Kelly who approaches the entire situation with elderly naivety. "Michael's never lied a day in his life," Annie says without intent to compliment. And indeed Kelly doesn't wear dishonesty well. He fidgets under scrutiny and can only be properly convincing as Ned Devine's double after a few drinks. Yet there's a deeper truth to what the character tries to do and when he finally comes to terms with the true meaning of the lottery and how much good the money can do, he goes along with the ruse. Also worth mentioning is Maura O'Malley as the town misanthrope Mrs. Kennedy. She drives her scooter across town with the wicked determinism of Margaret Hamilton on a broom.Waking Ned Devine is a spirited slice-of-life comedy that amuses with the power and quirk of the ensemble. It features some stunning images of Isle of Man which automatically put the small island on my already lengthy must-see list. Finally, it exhibits some excellently sharp directing and screen writing on the part of Kirk Jones. With a deft mix of black comedy and quaint small-town Provincialism, Jones and the entire crew behind this film know a small story can yield big heart and hearty laughs.

Python Hyena Waking Ned Devine (1998): Dir: Kirk Jones / Cast: Ian Bannen, David Kelly, James Nesbitt, Susan Lynch, Fionnula Flanagan: Creative and very funny comedy set in a small Irish town. Title symbolizes the awakening of this town while physically it regards the deceased Ned Devine who won the lottery and died of shock. The lottery win is announced and Ian Bannen plays one of the elderly residence who throws a get-together in order to find out who won. He and his wife discover that only Ned Devine failed to show. He and his best friend, played by David Kelly go to Devine's house only to find him dead. To protect the winnings Bannen convinces Kelly to poise as Devine in order to fool those following through on the winnings. They even get the rest of the town in on the charade. We also have a little romance between a pig farmer, played by James Nesbitt, and Susan Lynch as his romantic interest. Fionnula Flanagan plays Bannen's wife. The conclusion is wayward but the humour is genuine particularly during a hilarious sequence where Kelly rides naked on a motorcycle in order to hurry back to the realms of charade. The whole idea of these people getting away with this deceit will be off putting for some viewers. Others will wake to this sort of humour and find great amusement to the events that take place during Ned's deep sleep. Score: 8 / 10

Philippos Raftopoulos This is the perfect example of how a good story can make a film great, without special effects, violence, sex, celebrities or a huge budget.Shot in a beautiful village, with a hand full of actors and the real villagers as themselves, this is a story of hope. A story that simply says you can't give up on dreaming of a better place under the sun, even when you're facing the sunset.I was especially touched by the scene of the funeral, where Jackie speaks about his friend.Overall however, the movie is funny, touching and somehow liberating.Please, do watch this movie.