By Michael Lyons
“Is there a greater twist of fate...to win half a million and the next minute die from the shock of it.”
This line of dialogue is the central theme of 1998’s “Waking Ned Devine,” a movie that looks at the ironies of life, how fragile life is and how we can create a wonderful legacy for others, once we leave this world.
Of course, “Waking Ned Devine” does all of this in a very funny...and very Irish...way. With St. Patrick’s Day approaching, it’s one of the perfect films to help us celebrate.
Set in the small Irish village of Tully Moore, where everyone knows everyone, Ned Devine wins the national lottery and in a sad, morbid twist, dies of shock after finding this out. Ned’s buddies soon discover that Ned has passed and they also learn of his lottery win.
The friends soon enter a pact: they will pretend that Ned is still alive, so that the money can be claimed, they can split it amongst each other and help themselves and their small village.
But, as Lottery officials come to the town, can the secret be kept and the plan pulled off? ‘Twould be a shame to give away any of the film’s secrets.
Suffice it to say, the cover up of Ned’s demise leads to some hilarious misunderstandings and predicaments, one of which finds one of the older members of the town riding a Moped naked (you read that correctly).
It’s all put together deftly by director Kirk Jones, who shows a Billy Wilder-esque ability to blend pathos and comedy.
Since it’s debut almost twenty-one years ago, when it garnered nice reviews and great word of mouth attention, “Waking Ned Devine” has faded from popular view.
As a cultural slice-of-life, it’s such a well-meaning, smile on your face film, that everyone should take the opportunity to see it, no matter what the time of year.
Of course, if it means that as March 17th rolls around we shed a light on “Waking Ned Devine,” all the better.
Here’s a glass raised to this fine film!
Happy Saint Patrick’s Day to All!
Sources:
IMDb
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