Waking Ned
Tags: comedy, cute, psychedelic, feel-good

Plot synopsis:
When word reaches Jackie O'Shea (Ian Bannen) and Michael O'Sullivan (David Kelly), two elderly best friends, that someone in Tulaigh Mhór (Tullymore), their tiny Irish village of 52 people, has won the Irish National Lottery, they, along with Jackie's wife Annie (Fionnula Flanagan), plot to discover the identity of the winner. They obtain a list of lottery customers from Mrs. Kennedy (Maura O'Malley) at the post office and invite the potential winners to a chicken dinner, where they attempt to get the winner to reveal him- or herself. After everyone has left and they are no closer to an answer, Annie realizes that one person did not come to the dinner, so Jackie pays a late-night visit to the only absentee: the reclusive Ned Devine (Jimmy Keogh). He finds Ned in his home in front of the TV, still holding the ticket in his hand, a smile on his face and dead from shock. That same night, Jackie has a dream that the deceased Ned wants to share the winnings with his friends, as he has no family to claim the ticket. Jackie wakes up after the dream, and before dawn, he and Michael return to Ned's house to gather Ned's personal information so they can claim the winnings for themselves.
Elsewhere in the village, Maggie O'Toole (Susan Lynch) continues to spurn the romantic interests of her old flame, "Pig" Finn (James Nesbitt), a local pig farmer. Finn is convinced they belong together, as he thinks he is the father of her son Maurice, but she cannot abide him due to his ever-present odour of pigs. Finn has a rival in Pat Mulligan (Fintan McKeown), also hoping to marry Maggie.
Jackie and Michael call the National Lottery to make the claim, prompting a claim inspector to be sent. The inspector, Mr. Kelly, arrives to find Jackie on the beach and asks him for directions to Ned's cottage. Jackie delays Kelly by taking him on a circuitous route while Michael races to the cottage on a motorcycle, completely naked, and breaks in so he can answer the door as Ned. After discovering that the lottery winnings are far greater than they anticipated (totaling nearly IR£7 million), Jackie and Michael are forced to involve the entire village in fooling Mr. Kelly. All the villagers sign their name to a pact to participate in the ruse, except one—the local curmudgeon, Lizzie Quinn (Eileen Dromey). She threatens to report the fraud in order to receive a ten-percent reward, and attempts to blackmail Jackie for £1 million of the winnings. Jackie does not refuse her outright, but later insists to Michael, "She'll sign for the same as us, or get nothing at all!"
The villagers go to great lengths to fool the inspector, even pretending Ned's funeral is a service for Michael when the inspector wanders into the church. The inspector leaves, satisfied that the claim is legitimate, and the villagers celebrate their winnings at the local pub. Meanwhile, Quinn makes her way to the nearest working phone, a phone box outside the village on the edge of a cliff, and phones the lottery office. Before she can report the fraud, however, the departing claim inspector sneezes while driving past her and loses control of his car, forcing an oncoming van (driven by Tullymore's village priest, returning from a sabbatical) to crash into the phone box, sending it plummeting off the cliff and crashing to the ground below with Quinn still inside.
At the celebration, Jackie spots Maggie, who is content to marry Finn now that he has the money to give up pig farming. Maggie confides in him that Ned is Maurice's real father, meaning that Maurice is technically entitled to the entire winnings. Jackie urges her to claim the fortune for Maurice, but she demurs, determined to keep the secret so that Maurice will have a father and the villagers will have their money.
Finally, Jackie, Michael, Maurice, and several other villagers stand on a headland and raise their glasses to Ned, toasting him for his gift to the village.

Review: On the whole Waking Ned is a refreshing film that is "Feel Good" all the way through without laying on thick layers of mush.
Waking Ned Devine caught me from the get-go, with the opening scene with the lottery and apple tart being my all-time favorite in movie history.
Some fine performances from the cast especially the late Ian Bannen.Jackie O'Shea lives in a quiet little village, which is beset by the kind of gossip normal in such communities.
The backdrop of a small village in Ireland sets the stage for an interesting comedy about a winning lottery ticket and the dead guy it belongs to.
A delight for the entire family, even the quick scenes of a 70 year old naked man on a motor cycle comes out to be nothing more than good clean fun.
Sure it's sentimental and plays somewhat on stereotypes (I'm assuming, as I've never actually spent any time in a small Irish village), but the cast includes many great Irish and British character actors (especially the late Ian Bannen), and it's funny, well directed, beautifully shot, joyous and ultimately life-affirming.
Fionnula Flanagan, Ian Bannen and David Kelly, are just a few of an excellent cast in this tale about an Irish Lotto-winner, who is unable to collect.Never have I seen a lovelier yarn, and, I tell ye', I've seen a few!
Jackie O'Shea (Ian Bannen) figures out that one of the inhabitants in the local hamlet must have won the latest Lotto draw, and does he best to find out who, by every mean possible, and eventually finds out who.I don't want to spoil it, but it sure is a lovely story!
Ned Devine is a superb, feel-good movie that uplifts the spirit.The photography is outstanding and only approached by two other notable film epics:  Fiddler on The Roof, and Doctor Zhivago.
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.
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.
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..
This is a wonderful movie which captures village life in Ireland brilliantly.The antics of the 2 main characters is hilarious and captured their life long friendship and affection .Love,Greed,Loss and Decency are all covered in a story of village folk trying to hoodwink the Irish Lottery when one of their neighbor's dies of shock when the lottery numbers are announced on TV winning millions,but the prize is destined to go back to the Government as the winner,Ned Devine was a single man with no family to claim the prize.So the race is on to Ressurrect Ned once more!...There are a few familiar faces in the cast and sadly Ian Bannen died in a car accident soon after...Enjoy the movie...you wont be disappointed!!.
The basic premise is that Ian Bannen & David Kelly's characters know someone in the village has won the lottery jackpot.
With the help of his lifelong best friend, Michael O'Sullivan, played wonderfully by David Kelly, the adventure from fantasy and a strong desire for hope become a classic story worth adding to anyone's movie collection..
SPOILER: In the small, isolated town of Tullymore on the Irish coast, Ned Devine has just won the a big jackpot of the Irish lottery: $12.24 million, in U.S. dollars.
Ah well, at least old Ned died smiling.The whole town of 52 knows that the winning number was sold in Tullymore, and finally, Michael O'Shea figures out, by process of elimination (and many chicken dinners at his house) who won it.
Waking Ned Devine is one of those charming and funny movies that you just can't help liking.
.  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.
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.
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.
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).
Jackie (Ian Bannen) discovers both facts, as well as the body, and devises a plan to keep the winnings between himself, his wife and his best friend Michael (David Kelly).
Similar to "The Full Monty" (but never copying it), "Waking Ned Devine" tells the story of a village in Ireland suddenly upset by some quirky events.
When local old timer Ned Devine dies, his friends discover that he has won the lottery, and set about trying to reclaim the cash.I remember that I saw this movie a few months before Ian Bannen died, so I pretty much will always remember him for his great role here as Jackie O'Shea (although I do also remember him from "Ghost Dad").
Overall, "Waking Ned Devine" is one of those great little movies about life in general.
STAR RATING:*****Unmissable.****Very Good.***Okay.**You Could Go For A Meal Instead.*Avoid At All Costs.I'd been kept in somewhat recupital anticipation of Waking Ned Divine,an Irish comedy I'd missed at the theatres and caught up with just today on video.It seems to have been post subject to much the same fiddling most British helmed pictures are put through nowaday,with numbers of critics viewing it prior to it's theatrical release.
Gradually,the script worked on the chemistry of this pair to thrust me into the central story,which gathered pace and laughs considerably towards the end (the actual ending itself is a right hoot.) Mind you,I can't resist a flick set in good old Ireland whenever opportunity arrives,and this interesting,fairly funny and original comedy was satisfactory enough for me.***.
Complications arise and it becomes necessary to involve all fifty-two families, the winnings to be shared equally among them.The ending, which I won't describe, involves the intersection in time and space of a young man representing the Lotto authorities, a bitter and greedy old witch from the village, and the priest returning from a journey to Lourdes.I wasn't expecting too much.
From the HB and Lotto signs in the local shop, to the Irish accents by james nesbitt and Ian Bannen, to the Irish name for phone: 'Telefon', really making it seem that it is actually Ireland.Fantastic writing by Kirk Jones, capturing brilliantly the Irish village way of life.
"Waking Ned Devine" is a comedy about life and friendship and sharing with neighbors.
The movie starts off with people in the small coastal village of Tullymore, Ireland (Tulaigh Mhor) watching for the weekly drawings in what seems to be the Irish National Lottery.
Jackie O'Shea (played by Ian Bannen) and his wife Annie (Fionnula Flanagan) see a small item in the Dublin news that leads them to trace the jackpot winner to their village of 52 people.
It was filmed entirely on the Isle of Man with some wonderful scenic shots along the coast of the Irish Sea. The village of Tullymore is fictitious.
'Waking Ned' is a fun little movie about a village that conspires to claim the lottery winnings of a deceased resident.
It is brilliantly written and provides some genuinely hilarious individual scenes, with charismatic and fun lead characters.For a low budget, relatively unknown film, I was surprised at just how good it was.
This is the perfect feel good film - a simple, easy to follow plot, endearing characters and a well-written script.
A little sparkling treasure in the movie world.Old friends Jacky and Michael learn that some of their neighbors in the small village Tullymore must have won the lottery - but they do not know who.
Waking Ned is one of those comedies which ought to be in your movie collection,its a wonderful film with such a simple background and story that shows how a film can be funny without those unusual jokes and effects.I totally enjoyed watching it and i am sure everyone will agree with me once they have seen this magnificent film.There is an Indian film which is based upon the very same subject,so i wanted to see Waking Ned very badly because i was sure that the original would be better and i was right..waking Ned is far better than the rest.Its a funny story of a small Irish village where a lottery winner's unexpected death is seen as an opportunity by two men to cash in for themselves which ultimately leads to hilarious events and this is the subject of the film,highly recommended to all..
An entire village works on "Waking Ned Devine" in this 1998 film starring Ian Bannen, David Kelly, Fionnula Flanagan, Susan Lynch, and James Nesbitt.In a village of 52, one person has the winning lottery ticket.
Jackie faces facts: he's got to cut the entire village in for his scheme to work.This is a very funny, warm, sometimes sentimental film with some great performances and truly lovely moments, not to mention glorious Irish scenery.Not to be missed..
It has beautiful scenery, excellent acting, and a wonderful story that will brighten your day.Rent this movie, especially if you need a little cheering up..
I can appreciate the light humour in parts but fear that those of you who've never been to Ireland may take away an image that life in Ireland is like this.............perhaps back in the 50's but not in the late 90's !!!!!.....The film is certainly entertaining and will while away a couple of hours but to maintain that this offering is movie of the year is a little bit melodramatic..
Clever characterizations and wacky situational humor compensate for the slim plot of Waking Ned Devine, a movie stereotypical (but certainly positive) in its portrayal of the rural Irish.
Going the distance with one bizarre escapade after another, writer-director Kirk Jones unspools the tale of Jackie (Ian Bannen) and Michael (David Kelly), best friends who scheme to keep a lotto payoff when they discover its winner -- the titular Ned Devine -- is as stiff as an arctic wind.
My friends who I watched it with thought they went a bit over the top with the diddly-di irish music, but i thought that's the way it had to be for a movie like this.Everyone will like this film.
Ian Bannen (Braveheart) Jackie O'Shea, and his best friend  Michael O'Sullivan, played by David Kelly I  (The Matchmaker) convince the entire town to join then in committing fraud against the lottery.
Waking Ned Devine shows that movies do not need to be slick to be good.
The evocative rhythm of "Waking Ned Devine" captures the film so much better than the multiplex-friendly clunk of "Waking Ned" that I find it hard to believe that it's the latter title that's the Irish original.It's a charming, good-natured, clever (and, of course, funny) comedy.
Filmed entirely on the beautiful Isle of Man, this perfect gem of a movie will make everyone who watches it want to book vacations to both the filmed location and Ireland, where it's supposed to take place.
When Ian and David read in the newspaper that there's been a local lottery winner, they make it their mission to find out who it is-and it's the last person they suspect.There are so many wonderful elements to this movie: the beautiful Irish scenery, the peppy Irish music, Kirk Jones's irresistible and quick script, and the realistic chemistry between the cast members.
Waking Ned Devine is a very special movie, one I hope you'll watch and love as much as I do..
So Jackie enlists Michael - actor David Kelly (1929-2012) whom "The Irish Times referred to...as the "grand old man of Irish acting" - to help him achieve Ned's supposed wish.The ensuing shenanigans all take place on the beautifully filmed landscape of the Isle of Mann.
"Waking Ned Devine" is a few years old but I watched it last night for the first time.
A story well told, a craft mastered by the filmmaker, excellent, credible actors and a touch, just a touch of fantasy, enough to believe that life can and will turn everything around for the best, for everyone who has love in their heart (the only unanswered question would be if the lottery rep lived or died, did he die?) I demand more movies like this, and they are not only for us in our fifties and up, look at La-la whatever.
"Waking Ned Devine" is a thing of beauty, a simple joy all the way through.
Watching it is to feel a little less sorry for the stuff of life and death.Good fortune has come to the small coastal Irish village of Tullymore.
It's only fair the film's a bit of a masquerade like that, as it celebrates an approach to life that's anything but on the level but wonderously amiable all the same.Watching Bannen's expressions of surreptitious glee while pushing his oldest, dearest friend Michael O'Sullivan (David Kelly) to commit crime is really too much of a pleasure to explain.
Waking Ned is a fun story about a small village in Ireland.
This movie has excellent role characters, such as Ian Bannen who plays as Jackie O'Shea, David Kelly as Michael O'Sullivan and Fionnula Flanagan who is Maggie O'Shea.
Another interesting thing about this movie is Michael because he is the one who has to pretend to be Ned all thru the film knowing that he is a terrible liar.The way the whole town was part of the plan made even more interesting to watch.
This was a great film to watch because its an old classic movie but funny and has no violence.
'Waking Ned Devine' is a very pleasant little surprise that I had the good fortune to come across in my local Hollywood Video.
I know this was filmed on the Isle of Mann and that the actors aren't all Irish, but I really met a lot of people there like these characters.
I guess you all know what the movie is about, but let me brake it down for you:  In a small community a man wins the lotto, BUT he dies when he realises, so two local...men, take the opportunity to claim the ticket!
There isn't much "laugh-out-loud" humor here, but the movie is funny.WAKING NED DEVINE is a feel-good comedy that gives the image of a town that tries to be like a place where everyone would want to live.
No majorly huge laughs here, but the film makes you feel good and is also...devine.WAKING NED DEVINE gets 4/5..
Delightful little comedy about the denizens of a small Irish village who conspire to claim an enormous lottery prize when the winner drops dead of shock.
In this touching light hearted comedy two best friends Jackie and Michael will do anything to find out who won the lottery in their small town and try to get a peice of it.
There are so many unlikely comic scenes in this movie, that it's sort of like witnessing the birth of a whole new genre, I think.This is really a wonderful film to share with friends and family.
Charming, funny, and very much in the tradition of gentle feel good movies...and something a whole family can watch without offending anyone..
When the townspeople find out, they scheme to make it look like the character is still alive and try to split the winnings among themselves.Although the ending was a bit abrupt (I won't give it away!) the movie was still very good.
It is how Jackie and Maggie (Ian and Fionnula) attempt to find out who the lottery winner is that makes me laugh, but what makes me wimper, just a bit, is the sympathy that everyone in the audience feels for Ned Devine.
and it would not shock me if this were true.You do not need hundreds of millions of dollars to make a thoroughly entertaining movie.This is a classic and the reasons are: great idea, the script is as natural as it can get, the characters are very real and time passes before you know it.This film is like a good friend that knows how to cheer you up..
Waking Ned Devine is a light, refreshing film.
Waking Ned Devine is a delightful little movie set in the Irish country side.
I wonder if the audience knows anything about what a weapon is, or how they really work.Waking Ned Devine should be movie of the year just because a producer / writer thought of something original, and because the final product was a 10.
The characters in the movie are excellent, the story great and there are enough (mostly) good-humored jokes in it to make you laugh all the time, combined with breath-taking scenery and Gaelic music that fills your heart with longing and joy.