Friday, April 27, 2018

Movie review: Waking Ned Devine

 
 In a small town in the Irish countryside local Ned Devine has won the national lottery, which literally shocks him to death. Lottery officials closing in to deliver the prize in person, the townsfolk devise a plan to keep Ned alive.

Ian Bannen (Jackie), David Kelly (Michael), Fionnula Flanagan (Annie), Susan Lynch (Maggie), James Nesbitt (Finn), Paul Vaughan (Narrator), Maura O'Malley (Mrs. Kennedy), Robert Hickey (Maurice), Paddy Ward (Brendy).

Waking Ned Devine is a quirky journey that, while a bit detached from reality, is a fun ride with some good laughs. The plot is pretty simple; Ned wins the lottery which kills him from shock. A few in the small town he lived in know he has died and decide to keep it a secret until after the lotto winnings are delivered. Enter the comedy. From there the film is a fun, lighthearted ride that is more entertaining than expected.

Acting was very good from the main cast. Kelly was particularly enjoyable with Bannen, Flanagan, Nesbitt, and Lynch not far behind. The remainder of the cast, even if a bit rough in spots, were fun and fitting.

Camera work, sets, and backgrounds felt a bit unpolished and lacking detail at times, but fit the film. Dialogue had some nice laughs and moved the story along well. A few accents were rough but not bad. Sound is fairly well done.

If you enjoy a light comedy, or British comedy, you should enjoy this one.

With a touch of mild nudity, this should be fine for teens and above.

Released: 1998
Reviewed: 4.12.18
Star rating: 3 out of 5
Genre: Comedy, British Comedy, Indie Films

copyright ©2018 Dave Riedel

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