When a lottery winner dies of shock, his fellow townsfolk attempt to claim the money.
In the small, windswept Irish village of Tullymore, the lifelong bachelor Ned Devine is found dead in his armchair, having won the national lottery. Realizing that one of their own has a life-changing amount of money, the villagers hatch a plan to claim the prize themselves. With the help of Ned's elderly friend Jackie O'Shea, they impersonate Ned to collect the winnings, leading to a series of comical mishaps and moral quandaries as they try to keep their elaborate deception a secret from the lottery inspector.
Waking Ned Devine was generally well-received by critics and audiences alike, praised for its charming premise, heartwarming story, and strong performances from its ensemble cast, particularly Ian Bannen and David Kelly. It was noted for its gentle humor and its affectionate portrayal of small-town life and community spirit, though some found its plot a bit too whimsical or predictable.
Google audience: Audiences found the film to be a charming and funny story with a feel-good factor. Many enjoyed the humor and the touching depiction of a small community coming together, although some felt the plot was a bit thin.
Nominated for Best Original Comedy Screenplay at the Writers Guild of America Awards.
The distinctive sound of Ned Devine's cat purring during the scene where he is discovered dead was actually recorded by the sound designer rubbing a comb against a piece of velvet.
AI-generated overview · Verify ratings on official sources
