Waking Ned Devine Synopsis & Review: Plot Summary

🎯 Quick Overview

😅 Plot Summary – Badly Explained

An entire Irish village pretends a dead guy is alive to steal his lottery winnings and also somehow everyone gets away with it because the writers ran out of ideas for consequences.

🍿 Waking Ned Devine: Detailed Plot Synopsis

The Lottery Winner

In the small Irish village of Tullymore, the residents are abuzz with excitement: someone has won the national lottery. Jackie O’Shea, a clever and somewhat opportunistic villager, becomes obsessed with finding out who the lucky winner is. He hosts a chicken dinner, hoping the winner will reveal themselves, but to no avail.

Discovering Ned Devine

Through a process of elimination, Jackie deduces that Ned Devine, a reclusive old man, is the likely winner. He and his best friend, Michael O’Sullivan, visit Ned’s house, only to find him dead, clutching the winning lottery ticket. Ned died from the shock of winning the lottery.

The Scheme

Faced with the prospect of the lottery winnings going unclaimed, Jackie devises a plan: Michael will impersonate Ned Devine to claim the prize. They believe this is what Ned would have wanted. The villagers are initially hesitant, but eventually agree to help.

Fooling the Lottery Inspector

A representative from the lottery commission arrives to verify Ned’s identity. The villagers put on an elaborate charade, with Michael posing as Ned, aided by various villagers who provide false alibis and accounts. The situation becomes increasingly comical and tense as they try to maintain the deception.

⚠️ Spoilers and Ending Explained

🎬 Cast & Characters

• Jackie O’Shea (Ian Bannen): A clever and resourceful villager who schemes to claim the lottery winnings of the deceased Ned Devine.
• Michael O’Sullivan (David Kelly): Jackie’s lifelong best friend who reluctantly agrees to impersonate Ned Devine.
• Ned Devine (Jimmy Keogh): The deceased lottery winner whose death sets off a chain of events in the village.
• Annie O’Shea (Fionnula Flanagan): Jackie’s wife, who often serves as the voice of reason in his outlandish schemes.
• Lizzie Quinn (Eileen Dromey): A suspicious villager who threatens to expose the lottery scheme for a reward.

💬 Memorable Quotes

• Jackie O’Shea: “Michael O’Sullivan was my great friend. But I don’t ever remember telling him that.” – Said in a heartfelt eulogy, reflecting on the importance of appreciating friendships.
• Jackie O’Shea: “Words that are spoken at a funeral are spoken too late for the man who is dead.” – Explaining why he wants to visit his own funeral someday.
• Jackie O’Shea: “What a wonderful thing it would be to visit your own funeral. To sit at the front and hear what was said, maybe say a few things yourself.” – Illustrating his desire to experience the appreciation usually expressed after death.
• Michael O’Sullivan: “I’ve never been dead before!” – Said nervously while preparing to impersonate Ned Devine.

💰Box Office

• Budget: $3,000,000
• Domestic Gross: $24,792,251
• Worldwide Gross: $55,257,450

💥 Waking Ned Devine Reviews

Personal Review

I absolutely loved ‘Waking Ned’! The quirky humor and the beautiful scenery made it such a pleasant watch. The scene where Michael is riding the motorcycle naked had me laughing so hard I nearly cried. I found myself caring about these characters and their crazy scheme, it really captured the spirit of a close-knit community. It’s a feel-good movie that I will definitely watch again!

• Who would enjoy:
  • “Fans of quirky comedies”
  • “Viewers who enjoy Irish-themed movies”
  • “Those looking for a feel-good film”
  • “People interested in stories about small-town life”
• Content warnings ⚠:
  • “Mild language”
  • “Brief nudity (motorcycle scene)”
  • “Death”
  • “Implied theft/fraud”

Professional Reviews

• BBC: “A delightful and heartwarming comedy that captures the spirit of a small Irish village. The cast is superb, and the story is both funny and touching, making it a truly enjoyable experience.
• Empire Magazine: “Waking Ned is a charming, if slightly predictable, comedy with a strong sense of place. While it may not be laugh-out-loud funny, it’s a pleasant and well-acted film that will leave you with a smile.
• The Irish Times: “A quintessentially Irish tale, full of warmth and wit. The performances are excellent, and the film beautifully captures the essence of rural Ireland, making it a must-see for anyone who enjoys a good comedy.

Audience Reactions

The motorcycle scene is unbelievably hilarious!: Viewers consistently praise the film’s quirky humor and heartwarming storyline.

I love the close-knit community spirit of the village.: Many appreciate the film’s authentic depiction of rural Irish life.

Overall Consensus: A heartwarming and humorous comedy that’s widely enjoyed for its quirky charm and celebration of community.

Awards

🛠️ Behind the Scenes

• “The film was shot on the Isle of Man, chosen for its visual resemblance to rural Ireland and for logistical reasons.”
• “During filming, Ian Bannen and David Kelly developed a close friendship, which contributed to their on-screen chemistry.”
• “The scene where Michael rides a motorcycle nude was initially met with some hesitation from David Kelly, but he eventually embraced the comedic potential.”

🖥️ How to Watch Waking Ned Devine?

As of October 26, 2023, ‘Waking Ned’ is available for rent or purchase on various platforms. You can find it on Prime Video, Apple TV, Google Play Movies, and Vudu. Check your local listings for availability and pricing.

🎥 Similar Movies

If you enjoyed Waking Ned Devine, you might like these similar films:

• The Full Monty (1997): Both films feature a group of ordinary people who hatch an outrageous plan to solve their financial woes, creating humor from their unlikely predicament.
• Local Hero (1983): Similar in its portrayal of a close-knit community and its quirky characters dealing with unexpected external forces.
• Whisky Galore! (1949): A classic Ealing comedy with a similar theme of a community banding together to get around regulations and acquire something valuable, both set in a small, isolated community.
• Saving Grace (2000): Another British comedy where a community rallies around an unusual scheme to solve financial problems.

🛒 Waking Ned Devine Related Products

• Waking Ned (DVD): Own the physical copy of this cult classic comedy, a perfect addition to any movie collection.
• Irish Folk Music Collection: A digital compilation of classic Irish folk songs. This collection perfectly captures the movie’s spirit.
• Leprechaun Hat: Embrace the Irish spirit! A high-quality leprechaun hat to wear to movie nights or St. Patrick’s Day festivities.
• Ireland Travel Guide: Plan your dream vacation to the Emerald Isle! Discover the beauty of Ireland and immerse yourself in its rich culture.

🎧 Soundtrack

Waking Ned Devine features a captivating soundtrack that enhances the movie’s atmosphere and emotional impact. Here are some notable tracks:

• “The Parting Glass” – performed by Liam Ó Maonlaí
• “Women of Ireland” – performed by The Chieftains
• “Spancil Hill” – performed by Christy Moore

You can find the complete soundtrack on Amazon Music and Apple Music.

🤨 FAQ

🔥 Bonus Content

FIDDLER’S GREEN – WE WON’T DIE TONIGHT (Official Lyric Video) [WAKING NED footage]

Ever wondered what it would be like to relive the best moments of Waking Ned with a catchy Irish folk song? This music video uses scenes from the movie, and the song is a perfect match for the film’s spirit!

Shaun Davey’s Fill to me the Parting Glass, Derry 2013

The ending of Waking Ned always gets me! Check out this incredible live performance of ‘Fill to me the Parting Glass’ with a full orchestra and bagpipes. It’s so moving!

✨ Rate