Alright, fellow tape travellers, settle in. Remember those trips to the video store, scanning shelves packed with action heroes and sci-fi epics, only to stumble upon something... different? A cover that hinted at charm, maybe a bit of mischief? That's exactly the feeling Kirk Jones's delightful 1998 comedy, Waking Ned (or Waking Ned Devine as many of us knew it Stateside), evokes. This wasn't your typical late-90s fare; it felt like a throwback even then, a warm hug of a film discovered amongst the louder blockbusters, probably nestled right between a well-worn copy of The Full Monty and maybe Good Will Hunting.
### A Stroke of Luck, A Dose of Trouble
The premise is pure gold, the kind of 'what if?' scenario that instantly hooks you. In the tiny, picturesque (and entirely fictional) Irish village of Tulaigh Mhór (Tullymore), someone has won the National Lottery. The jackpot is enormous, life-changing money for anyone, let alone the residents of this close-knit, slightly eccentric community. Enter our main conspirators, the elderly but spry best friends Jackie O'Shea (Ian Bannen, in what sadly became one of his final, and finest, roles) and Michael O'Sullivan (David Kelly, stealing scenes with mischievous glee). When they deduce the winner is the reclusive Ned Devine, they rush to his cottage to share the joy... only to find Ned dead from the shock, a winning lottery ticket still clutched in his hand.
What follows isn't macabre, but a beautifully orchestrated, increasingly frantic, and utterly charming caper. Jackie and Michael, aided by Jackie's sharp wife Annie (Fionnula Flanagan, bringing grounded warmth to the escalating absurdity), decide the village deserves Ned's winnings. The only way? Michael must become Ned Devine, at least long enough to fool the man from the Lottery Claims office. It's a simple plan destined for glorious complications.
### More Than Just Laughs: The Heart of Tullymore
What makes Waking Ned resonate beyond the central gag is its genuine affection for its characters and community. Director/writer Kirk Jones, making a remarkably assured feature debut (reportedly inspired by a real-life, albeit less dramatic, lottery incident he'd heard about), doesn't just present caricatures. These feel like real, albeit quirky, people bound by shared history and geography. The film brilliantly captures the atmosphere of a small, isolated village where everyone knows everyone's business, a dynamic essential to both the humour and the plot's eventual resolution.
And let's talk about David Kelly. Already a beloved character actor, his performance as Michael (and occasionally, 'Ned') is a masterclass in physical comedy and subtle expression. The infamous scene involving a naked motorbike ride wasn't just a cheap gag; it was a moment of pure, unadulterated character liberation, made all the more memorable knowing Kelly was well into his late 60s when he performed it with such gusto! It reportedly took some convincing, but Jones knew the scene was crucial for capturing the film's blend of absurdity and heart. Ian Bannen, meanwhile, provides the perfect counterpoint – the schemer with a twinkle in his eye, driving the plot forward with infectious energy. Their chemistry is the bedrock upon which the film’s charm is built.
### The Look and Feel of a Bygone Charm
Filmed not in Ireland, but on the equally stunning Isle of Man (a savvy choice likely influenced by filming incentives, which also lent the village a unique, slightly timeless quality), the movie looks gorgeous. The rolling green hills, the rugged coastline, the stone cottages – it all adds to the feeling of stepping into a slightly magical, self-contained world. It doesn't rely on flashy editing or effects; the humour comes from the situations, the dialogue, and the wonderful ensemble cast embodying the spirit of the village. You can almost smell the peat fires and the salty air. This wasn't a massive budget production – reportedly made for around £3 million – but its eventual worldwide gross of nearly $50 million proved audiences were hungry for this kind of clever, character-driven comedy. It became a true sleeper hit, earning positive reviews and finding a dedicated audience on home video – precisely the kind of gem we loved discovering at VHS Heaven!
The plot unfolds with witty twists and near misses, culminating in a collective conspiracy that’s both hilarious and surprisingly touching. The supporting cast, embodying the various villagers roped into the scheme (from the stern postmistress to the local "pig farmer" Finn), are all perfectly cast, adding layers to the community's personality. Remember Lizzy Quinn, the perpetually sour spinster on her mobility scooter, zipping around as the unlikely antagonist trying to claim the winnings for herself? Pure comedic brilliance.
### Final Reel
Waking Ned is a reminder that comedy doesn't need to be loud or crude to be effective. It's witty, warm, and possesses a gentle spirit that feels increasingly rare. It celebrates community, friendship, and the audacious pursuit of a better life, even if it requires bending the rules just a little bit (or a lot). It’s the kind of film that leaves you with a smile, feeling like you've spent 90 minutes in the company of old friends.
Rating: 8.5/10
Justification: The film earns this high score for its masterful blend of clever plotting, genuinely funny moments, heartfelt character work (especially from Bannen and Kelly), beautiful location shooting, and its sheer, unadulterated charm. It's a perfectly crafted feel-good comedy that avoids saccharine sweetness, anchored by a witty script and impeccable performances. A slight deduction perhaps for predictability in certain spots, but the execution is so delightful it hardly matters.
Final Thought: Forget CGI explosions; sometimes the most thrilling thing on that fuzzy VHS screen was watching a whole village conspire over a lottery ticket, powered by pure Irish charm and a cracking good script. A true gem that still warms the cockles after all these years.