Waking Ned Devine (1998)

"The words that are spoken at a funeral are spoken too late for the man who is dead."

Director

Kirk Jones

Cast

Ian Bannen - Jackie O'Shea
David Kelly - Michael O'Sullivan
Fionnula Flanagan - Annie O'Shea
Susan Lynch - Maggie O'Toole

Robert Hickey - Maurice O'Toole
Paddy Ward - Brendy O'Toole
James Nesbitt - Finn
Adrian Robinson - Lotto Inspector
Maura O'Malley - Mrs. Kennedy
James Ryland - Dennis Fitzgerald
Fintan McKeown - Pat Mulligan
Eileen Dromey - Lizzy Quinn
Kitty Fitzgerald - Kitty
Dermot Kerrigan - Fr. Patrick
Jimmy Keogh - Ned Devine

There are some stories out there I wish I thought of first. "Waking Ned Devine" is one of them.

It's a simple story with a lot to ponder over. Above all, it's entertaining.

The story starts with lotto balls revealing to millions of ticket holders that they've lost once. Meanwhile, within moments, those same lottery balls change one lucky shlub's life forever. 

News that the lotto winner lives in the small Irish town of Tullymore, which has a population of 52 people, reaches the ears of one of its residents, Jackie O'Shea (Ian Bannen). He and his long-time friend Michael O'Sullivan (David Kelly) try to figure out who among the villagers of Tullymore is the lucky millionaire. 

Along with Jackie's wife, Annie (Fionnula Flanagan), they come up with a scheme to find the winner by inviting the entire town over for a chicken dinner.

When the night ends, and no one seems to be a millionaire, Annie discovers she has one plate of chicken left. She counted the number of chickens herself. And with one left, that means someone didn't show up. That someone is Ned Devine. 

So, Jackie goes to Ned's house to take him his chicken dinner. 

Jackie finds the lights out, the TV on playing static, and Ned Devine stiff in his easy chair with a smile left on his face. In his hand is a lottery ticket with the winning numbers. He died from the shock of winning. 

David Kelly (left) and Ian Bannen in "Waking Ned Devine."

Jackie returns home to tell Annie what happened to Ned. There isn't much they can do about Ned so late at night. 

Jackie has a dream that same night in which he's riding on a boat with Ned, who's heartily enjoying that chicken dinner he missed. In the dream, Ned offers Jackie some of his dinner as they sail on to the light. 

Jackie interprets his dream as Ned's way of saying he wants him and all of Tullymore to share in his lottery jackpot. "Share in the chicken dinner! Share in the winnings" Jackie concludes. 

Before the sun comes up, Jackie goes to get Michael, and together they return to Ned's house to gather his personal information. A new scheme is hatching. They're going to fool the Lottery Commission that Michael is really Ned Devine. 

The plot begins with Jackie calling the Lotto to make a claim. 

When a lotto inspector (Brendon Dempsey) arrives in town, Michael claims to be Ned. But the inspector needs to confirm it with the rest of the Tullymore residents before he can hand over the winnings. He also tells them the prize is near a total of IR£7 million. That's in pounds, by the way.
So, Michael and Jackie offer each villager an equal cut of the winnings if they identify Michael as Ned Devine when the inspector comes back around. And all are in agreement except one person - Lizzy Quinn (Eileen Dromey), the local grouchy cat lady. 

She threatens to blackmail Michael and Jackie by reporting their fraud to the lotto commission for ten-percent award unless they agree to give her £1 million cut from Ned's winnings. 

There are other subplots taking place as well.

The local pig farmer, Finn (James Nesbitt) is trying to win the affection of Maggie O'Toole (Susan Lynch) who has feelings for him. But she can't get past the stench of the pigs that linger around Finn. 

Despite his best efforts to hide the pig smell with various sweet scented soaps, Maggie still can't get past the smell of the pigs. 

Finn is convinced he's the father of Maggie's son, Maurice (Robert Hickey). 

He's also up against Pat Mulligan (Fintan McKeown) who is trying to win Maggie's affection. 

Also, one of the villagers, Kitty (Kitty Fitzgerald), has a bit of a crush on old Michael. She's been trying to win his affection for a long time. When they ask her to tell the lotto man that Michael is really Ned, this opens an opportunity for her to have a date with Michael. She agrees if he'll take her out. 

All in all, everything flows smoothly. The humor is genuine and seems so natural. Nothing is outlandish or off-the-wall. It's all lighthearted, but with an edge. Greed!

Despite the charming elements in this movie, I have slightly mixed feelings about it. 

Primarily, the ending is off-putting for me. In fact, the entire scenario with Maggie and her son, who is 11 or 12-years-old is off-putting. She clearly slept around Tullymore while leading Finn by a string as he wondered for all that time if he was Maurice's father or not.

At the end, she tells Jackie who Maurice's father actually is. There's nothing charming about that subplot which adds nothing to the movie. 

As for the rest, the characters are certainly likeable and memorable. Maybe that's their Irish charm shining through? Very likely! The actors are clearly having fun in their performances as they appear at ease and in their element. This is especially true for David Kelly and Ian Bannen. Their characters and performances are unforgettable. Jackie is driven by greed which he strives to justify. Michael, on the other hand, is a follower who works on doing what Jackie wants him to do. And once he realizes that he's doing a great job at fooling the lottery man, his self-confidence spikes a bit.  

The story gets more and more complex but somehow manages to work itself out as though fate is on the side of everyone in Tullymore, except Lizzie. And how she gets her comeuppance! It's human nature up against mega bucks at its best.

The shots of Ireland are amazing and truly well executed. The soundtrack is entertaining and catchy. It's obvious what's going to happen in the end. The fun of watching this small Irish village getting to that point is what makes the movie enjoyable. "Waking Ned Devine" is a quaint and hilarious fraud. It's difficult not to like it. 

Chaplin (1992)

"Easy, when you know how." 

Director
Richard Attenborough

Cast
Robert Downey Jr. - Charlie Chaplin

Paul Rhys - Sydney Chaplin
Geraldine Chaplin - Hannah Chaplin
Moira Kelly - Hetty Kelly/ Oona O'Neill

John Thaw - Fred Karno
Anthony Hopkins - George Hayden
Kevin Kline - Douglas Fairbanks

Dan Aykroyd - Mack Sennett
Penelope Ann Miller - Edna Purviance
Marisa Tomei - Mabel Normand
Maria Pitillo - Mary Pickford
Milla Jovovich - Mildred Harris
Kevin Dunn - J. Edgar Hoover

Deborah Moore - Lita Grey
Diane Lane - Paulette Goddard
Nancy Travis - Joan Barry

In my mid to late elementary school days between 1993 to 1995 and after, I discovered something relatable in Charlie Chaplin's character often referred to as "the Little Fellow."
I wasn't the popular kid in the class, nor did I desire to be. I wasn't bullied, but I was an easy target for the occasional ribbing. Of course, I did my own share of ribbing. Turnabout is fair play. I was a short, thin kid with glasses, and my hair was always combed. 
I wasn't chased after by girls, but I sure did a little chasing of my own, always hopeful of romance. My efforts were pretty much met with setback and heartache.

Nothing has really changed much since then except my weight, my age, my hair loss, prescription changes, and my wedding band. 

Back then, while I took interest in some of what my peers took interest in, I also took interest in other pop culture media that my friends didn't care anything about. 
I watched a lot of black and white comedies, listened to old radio programs, played older music, and I appreciated the golden age of entertainment thanks in large part to my dad who had some old movies on VHS.
I loved, and still love, the Marx Brothers, and Laurel and Hardy, and Buster Keaton, and above all, Charlie Chaplin.

Chaplin captivated me even though our life spans never crossed. 

His character "the little Tramp" is a man on the sidelines. He sometimes wins the affection of a love interest, but not often. He has hopes, dreams, and purpose. He's a "little fellow" and a hero. He's on the sidelines, and yet stands out among a crowd. Chaplin, the comedian, is the king of tragedy.
Once you notice him, you don't forget his image.
In my youth, I saw how the past only changes in appearance as it reflects human nature that never changes. 
With Chaplin, no matter how bittersweet and disappointing life is, he'll wake up the next morning and start again.
These interests I considered my own. They were unique to me and made me distinct from my peers. 

I love the 1992 biopic "Chaplin" starring Robert Downey, Jr., and directed by Richard Attenborough. I'm also disappointed by it. 

The movie covers Chaplin's entire life as told by an older Chaplin (Robert Downey, Jr.) as he reminisces about his life to a fictional autobiography editor, George Hayden (Anthony Hopkins). 

The film starts with five-year old Charlie in London's Victorian era East End as he watches his mother, Hannah Chaplin (Charlie's daughter, Geraldine Chaplin, plays her own grandmother) lose her voice

Robert Downey Jr. as Charlie Chaplin in "Chaplin."

while singing on stage in Vaudeville. It's the last time she ever sings again. Already living in poverty, Hannah can no longer pay rent. Both Charlie and his older half-brother, Sydney, are taken away to a workhouse as a result. 

Hannah develops psychosis and a teenage Charlie is forced to admit her into a mental hospital. 

Later, Charlie and Sydney work for variety producer and impresario, Fred Karno (John Thaw) and enter his pantomime group. 

Charlie becomes well known among the U.K., particularly for his role as a disruptive drunk which he portrays between acts on stage.

He meets a young show girl named Hetty Kelly (Moira Kelly) who becomes his first love. 

Charlie quickly proposes to her, but she says no as she's too young. 

As Charlie is heading to America to take up a job offer with famous comedy film producer, Mack Sennett (Dan Aykroyd) in the movies, he promises Hetty that he'll return successful. 

While working for Sennett, Charlie comes up with the famous "Tramp" figure and his fame quickly spreads worldwide.

However, Sennett's girlfriend, Mabel Normand (Marisa Tomei) has directorial methods that Charlie doesn't like. So, he asks Sennett if he'll let him direct the next movie, which Sennett reluctantly agrees to.  

This eventually leads Charlie away from Sennett so he can continue directing his own movies. 

With loads of success, Charlie opens his own studio in 1917. 

He manages to stir up some controversy with a picture called, "The Immigrant" in which Charlie kicks an immigration officer in the backside. How dare this foreigner mock the U.S. Immigration system!

Also, during this period, Charlie meets Edna Purviance (Penelope Ann Miller) who would be his leading lady for a few years. 

After a few years go by, Charlie attends a suave party thrown by his friend and fellow actor, Douglas Fairbanks (Kevin Kline) also attended by J. Edgar Hoover (Kevin Dunn). Charlie disputes Hoover's comments about the role of movies, actors and propaganda. This sparks a 40-year grudge against Charlie. 

He starts dating 16-year old actress, Mildred Harris (Milla Jovovich). He later tells Fairbanks that he has to marry Harris because she's pregnant. Fortunately, her pregnancy turns out to be false.

But the two marry only to end up getting a divorce. 

Charlie is in the middle of working on his 1921 film "The Kid" while this is going on. Harris's divorce lawyers claim "The Kid" is an asset and try to confiscate it. But Charlie, Sydney and the production crew sneak off to Salt Lake City with the movie to finish it in a hotel room. 

They sneak back to Los Angeles with the completed film after narrowly getting caught. 

Upon the premiere of "The Kid," Chaplin heads back to the U.K. for the premiere and has hopes to be reunited with Hetty. 

Sadly, no one has told him Hetty succumbed to influenza and died two years prior. 

Back in the U.K. while a lot of people are happy to see Chaplin, some of the working-class English are less than thrilled as Charlie didn't enlist in the British armed forces during World War I. 

Hoover continues digging into Charlie's life, trying to find anything that will support his claims that Charlie is a communist sympathizer.

On top of this, Sydney tries to encourage Charlie to switch over to talking pictures. But Charlie doesn't want the Tramp to talk. Doing so will diminish the Tramp. 

Instead, he makes two more silent movies in the early rise of talking pictures - "City Lights" and "Modern Times." 

Robert Downey Jr. and Anthony Hopkins in "Chaplin."

Before that, he makes "The Gold Rush" in 1925. He also marries his second wife, the young actress Lita Grey (Deborah Moore). After Charlie and Lita go splitsville, he marries actress Paulette Goddard (Diane Lane).  

Charlie is deep in his work on "Modern Times" which causes Goddard to feel ignored and like she's second place in his life. So, that marriage ends in divorce. 

He finally meets Oona O'Neill (Moira Kelly) who resembles his first love, Hetty Kelly. She's the daughter of American playwright, Eugene O'Neill. 

They fall in live and marry. They stay married up to Chaplin's death in 1977. 

After their marriage, Charlie is accused of fathering a child with former lover, Joan Berry (Nancy Travis) which plunges him into a highly publicized scandal. 

Though blood tests prove it's not Charlie's baby, a court still determines he must pay child support. 

Also, Charlie decides to finally make a talking picture as the Tramp called "The Great Dictator" which satirizes Nazism and Adolf Hitler. It's his last movie as his famous character, but not his last movie all together. 

Hoover sees "The Great Dictator" as anti-American propaganda. Chaplin doesn't make another movie for seven years until his film "Limelight" is produced. 

The McCarthy hearings are taking place when Chaplin takes Oona and his family to visit the U.K. 

They have barely left New York City when the U.S. Attorney General revokes his re-entry permit leaving Charlie barred from the U.S. 

He resides in Switzerland for the rest of his life, feeling betrayed and resentful towards the country that made him successful, and whom he made laugh in return. 

Charlie does return to the U.S. 1972 to receive an honorary Academy Award. There, he receives a long standing ovation. 

To make a movie of someone's entire life is bold. It's especially bold when that someone is immortal like Charlie. 

Nobody before or sense has ever captured human tragedy so simply, and still make audiences laugh. 

I think this movie tries to depict that, and Downey's performance tries to replicate it with every gleam of his talent. It's a monumental effort. 

Despite Charlie's rise from pauperdom to prestige, this movie is a long string of melancholy emotion and sadness throughout, which is heard especially in the soundtrack. There's some triumph, some comedy, and a lot of sorrow. 

It brings deeper insight into Chaplin's creative genius and remarkable talent as a comedian, writer, actor, composer, director and producer. The scene where Charlie wracks his creative brain to figure out a way how to make the blind flower girl in his movie "City Lights" mistake the Tramp for a rich man. 

All things considered, the movie "Chaplin" fails to focus enough on where it matters - Charlie's creativity. It goes back and forth between that, and his interest in younger women, and all the other stuff that doesn't contribute to his greatness and legacy. 

Granted, that all makes him the human he is. But everyone has weaknesses and shortcomings. The movie's tagline reads, "Everyone has a wild side, even a legend." As depicted in this movie, Chaplin

Geraldine Chaplin as her grandmother, Hannah Chaplin.

didn't do much to rise above his "wild side." This part of him didn't make him "Charlie Chaplin" as the world knows him. I don't know what the audience is supposed to take away from this "wild side" of Charlie Chaplin. 

One major pet peeve I have with "Chaplin" is how it depicts Chaplin's first appearance in a movie. 

The movie shows him first appearing before a camera in a fictional scene with Chaplin dressed as the Tramp crashing a wedding party, and then being chased around the room by wedding guests. 

In reality, Chaplin's first movie was "Making a Living" (1914). It was his second movie, "Kid Auto Races at Venice" (1914) where he first appeared as the "Little Tramp" with bowler hat, bamboo cane, toothbrush mustache, tight coat and baggy pants. This movie couldn't get that right? Why couldn't they depict either of those movies as his first picture, or first picture as his famous character? 

Chaplin also got a bit too politically preachy around World War II as seen in "The Great Dictator" which, if what "Chaplin" depicts is accurate, wasn't really appreciated by audiences back in the 1940s. Nothing has changed since then. Too many actors still act preachy. Movie audiences didn't like to be lectured to by Hollywood elites back then, and they still don't. Hollywood didn't get the clue back then, and still hasn't.

I understand this biopic is trying to depict Chaplin as the product of his upbringing and experiences. It might have been better to focus on one particular aspect of Chaplin's life so as to give the audience clearer picture of how his talents made him so remarkable, highly respected and renowned. 

Who cares if he had a wild side? Who cares that a rich celebrity loved women? Who cares if women loved him? 

Yet, the amazing acting, talented cast of stars who are in this together to pay homage to the comedian of all comedians, the set design, and the respect the movie contains is well done. To depict Chaplin's entire life is a bold feat. The effort alone deserves appreciation.