Waking Ned Devine
|
List Price: Our Price: $4.21 You Save: $5.77 (58%) Availability: Usually ships in 1-2 business days Buy Used: from $3.99 (click here) Category: DVD See more DVD releases |
|---|
Buy this DVD movie at online store in your country
Canada
Canada
Movie Reviews of Waking Ned Devine
Movie Review: Irish Comedy Wakes us All
Summary: 5 Stars
The Brits are fantastic at making comedies populated with interesting, likable characters that you wouldn't mind sitting next to in a pew at the local church or tipping a cold one with at the local pub, depending on your preference. "Waking Ned" comes from a film tradition that delighted us with "The Full Monty" and more recently with "Calendar Girls".
This delightful story takes place in a small Irish village (population 52) and is enacted by a cast of actors that I previously wouldn't have been able to pick out of a police line-up. But these are characters that you quickly come to identify with and care for, and despite the fact that they plan to pull off a small defrauding of the Irish Lottery, you not only want them to pull it off - you don't feel like they're engaging in particularly criminal behavior. Particular Kudos go to Ian Bannen as the twinkly-eyed Jackie O'Shea who is scamming pretty much the entire movie, but doing it in such a way you almost wish you were there with him. David Kelly is wonderful as the scrupulous Michael who "never told a lie in his life" but becomes central in the plot to impersonate dead lottery winner Ned Devine. Fionnula Flanagan is also fantastic as Jackie's wife, Annie, who is the voice of ethics and morals to the scheming Jackie. I'd say it's practically worth the price of admission just to see the opening scene between Jackie and Annie, and I enjoyed every minute after spent in the company of these wonderful characters.
Movie Review: Winners in life
Summary: 5 Stars
In the tradition of movies like The Full Monty, comes a very funny story of lotteries, winners and losers in a small town in Ireland.
The small villa of Tully More, population 52, hides in the huge Irish hills; but a national event -the state lottery- takes this town out of anonymity when one of their residents buys the winning ticket.
Two old friends, Jackie and Michael, discover the good news. But now, they want to know the identity of the winner to convince him to share the prize with them.
Searching for clues and proofs to unmask the millionaire, these two get involved in hilarious situations. Until they finally find the only possible winner, still mysteriously quiet: Ned Devine.
But the surprise is, Ned has died of emotion when he finds out the News. Lottery certainly changed his life.
And before his body gets cold, a conspiracy is formed in Tully More to reclaim Ned's prize.
Joyous and picaresque, this movie smiles at optimism, celebrates friendship and provide us with sincere entertainment. The characters are a little cartoonish and eccentric but with a good heart, not an usual treat these days.
If you are looking for a few laughs, Waking Ned Devine will provide them; this story will leave you holding a winning ticket.
Movie Review: Good, clean, wholesome fun!
Summary: 5 Stars
It's not often that I find a comedy that is both clean and entertaining, _Waking Ned Devine_ was one of those rare finds.
The story is about a major lottery winning in a small Irish town. Two of the townsfolk; Jackie O'Shea and Michael O'Sullivan, after finding out that someone in their small town of 54 (If I remember correctly) has won the lottery, set about trying to find the winner and hopefully to cash in on the luck.
Unfortunately, the winner; Ned Devine, died from the shock of winning and so Jackie and Michael decide to claim the prize and share it among the whole village. Two obstacles stand in their way; the village 'witch' and the lottery official. There is also a subplot involving a local pig farmer and his sweetheart, who would marry him were it not for the stench and is about to get married to someone a lot less malodorous and richer.
Fortunately, this movie isn't as corny as one would expect, it really is funny without trying too hard to be. I rarely buy DVDs usually deciding to rent them first, but this one is definitely going into the collection because it's one of those feel-good movies that make you appreciate life even more. Definitely a must see for everyone.
Movie Review: Wonderful humor and a warm Irish treat
Summary: 5 Stars
This is a truly delightful story, with so many little gems that make it worth while watching - more than once. The acting is so real and natural that you soon start to feel that you know the characters personally. They come right into your living room, sit beside you, tickle you and make you laugh. If not an outright loud laugh, it is often a good chuckle (which is often more satisfying anyway). Apart from the dialogue, just the wink of an eye or a shrug of the shoulder brings so much pleasure. It has just a touch of the old Irish sentimentality; and quite apart from the hilarious plot, the underlying themes of genuine friendship and community gives you the feeling of nostalgia for the old days when people had time for that kind of thing. Yes, there is sentimentality, but it is of the quiet, self-deprecating kind and never threatens to take over and smother the story. And there are some stereotypes - fiddlers and lots of Guinness flowing. My favorite character - well, that's hard, but I do love the young pig farmer (who starts using fruity soaps in an effort to win the love of his life). I sat down with my husband and son to watch, and we all felt much better at the end.Movie Review: Lovely, lovely...and holds up to repeated viewing
Summary: 5 Stars
I first saw Waking Ned Devine in the movie theater. I quite enjoyed it at the time but had not seen it again until just this weekend. In contrast to essentially ALL comedies I have seen in recent years, this one holds up wonderfully to repeated viewing. It was even better than the first time. Every part, from the stars O'Bannon and Kelly to the smallest walk-ons, is wonderfuly acted. I particularly liked the old sourpuss who rode the motorized cart, the pig farmer, and the young priest. They are all so multidimensional that you can imagine what they are doing when they aren't on screen.
The screenplay is wonderful, and the direction is expert. I especially liked the love scenes between Maggie and the pig farmer who smells so bad that she has to stay yards away from him at all times. Imagine an affecting, humorous, and believable love scene where the participants don't even touch each other!
Another plus is that this is actually a great family movie. Although it is in no way designed for kids, my 8-year-old laughed all the way through it. He especially liked the famous naked motorcycle ride!
Definitely worth owning (not just renting)!