Whenever a film opens with a shot that pans across outer space, focuses on Earth and comments about everything being right in the universe, it's immediately obvious that what will follow will be some sort of sci-fi epic, or else a disarming film that clearly doesn't take itself seriously.
Definitely falling into the latter category, "Waking Ned Devine" is a charming, entertaining, and occasionally outrageous delight. Far better than 1997's overrated "The Full Monty," this film was a moderate success at the box office (and shunned at the Oscar nominations), but should become a sleeper hit now that it's out on video.
Some lottery-based films such as "It Could Happen To You" spend their time focusing on what happens after the ticket is "cashed." This film, however, revels in the antics of several older Irish villagers trying to find out who won the lottery and then mounting an ever increasingly complex plan to keep the winnings in their village -- all before the winning ticket is presented.
Despite the characters' obvious attempts at fraud, you can't help but overlook their "indiscretions" simply due to the charming and zany atmosphere that permeates the entire film and those characters.
While I must admit I've got a thing for films set in Ireland (perhaps due to a small percentage of my blood coming from that land -- and despite the usual need to become acclimated to the often thick accents), this film doesn't condescendingly take that setting and simply play off its stereotypes.
Instead, the comically drawn characters and the straightforward story easily could have been set anywhere -- but it's doubtful they could have been as nicely complemented as they are by the Irish locales and characters.
Although the story isn't too complex and doesn't prevent a myriad of twists, turns, and complications, there's just enough of that present to make all of the proceedings highly enjoyable and the film always feels bright and clever.
Playing off the common belief that the next best thing to winning the lottery itself is being good friends with the person who does, the film starts off with a deceptively funny opening that is then followed by many cute, charming and often hilarious moments where our two protagonists attempt to "court" their friends and neighbors.
Dining -- and particularly wining -- the rest of the villagers, the two try their best to out the winner's identity, but quickly realize they're coming up empty handed. Upon finding the deceased winner, however, the humor really starts to take off. First, there's a quite funny scene where Jackie tries to remove (actually reshape) the frozen death grin on the winner's face, while Michael is preoccupied with stepping on something on the floor that causes him to think that the dead man is "melting."
Then there's an absolutely outrageous sequence where the sixty-something Michael desperately tries to outrace the lottery official back to the dead man's home -- all while riding a minibike sans any clothes -- which is one of the funnier sight gags and moments you'll ever see in a movie.
Beyond the clever and well-executed plot, what makes the film work so well are the delightful performances and the actors and actresses who deliver them. While not exactly playing the "Grumpy Old Men" of Matthau and Lemmon fame, actors Ian Bannen and David Kelly may just become the next well-known senior citizen comedy team, and are as good and possibly even more enjoyable than their better-known counterparts.
Similarly playing lifelong friends, the characters' chemistry together is perfect and always believable. Bannen ("Braveheart," many TV movies), who closely resembles an Irish version of Lemmon, is very funny as a man who obviously has too much spare time on his hands, while Kelly ("The Matchmaker") is his gangly and gawky counterpart who will no doubt please audiences with his inspired performance.
Writer and director Kirk Jones -- who makes an amazing debut with this film -- also populates the small town with enough other diverse characters to add even more humor to the proceedings, as well as some decent subplots.
From Susan Lynch (the TV mini series "Ivanhoe") and James Nesbitt ("Welcome to Sarajevo") as pig-crossed lovers, and Fionnula Flanagan ("Some Mother's Son") as Jackie's grounded and occasionally miffed wife, to Eileen Dromey (making her debut) as the old spinster with greedy plans of her own, the supporting cast is nicely drawn and developed. Even much smaller roles, such as that of Maggie's son and a visiting priest are well-done and always enjoyable.
Jones has also wisely added some nice touching moments to complement, as well as round off the film's occasionally, but only slightly morbid humor. With a hilarious ending straight out of an old Monty Python skit, luscious coastal scenery, a fun score, and a clever plot and even better characters, this little film is a big delight in nearly every way possible. We highly recommend it.
Regarding the disc's qualities, both the video and audio are outstanding. The supplemental materials, on the other hand (consisting of just the theatrical trailer and text-based facts concerning the cast and crew), aren't particularly noteworthy.
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