Waking Ned Devine has everything I require in a film: bizarre love triangles, rich Irish accents, and naked old men riding motorcycles.

This instant classic was released in the states back in ‘98.  Allow me to remind you what life was like 11 years ago.  Through the first half of that year Americans had basked in Denver’s thrilling Super Bowl XXXII victory over the Green Bay Packers, 31-24.

But then, on August 15, a domestic terrorist attack in the town of Omagh in Northern Ireland shook us back to our senses.  In the immediate aftermath of the atrocity our country faltered, with citizens questioning whether life could ever be the same again.  The whole world needed a reason to once again believe in the goodness of humanity.

On November 20, Waking Ned Devine was delivered to us by a force more powerful than most people can ever comprehend: Tomboy Films, the same production company that brought us the unforgettable classics This Train and Shooting Fish.  WND crushed its competition, grossing an incomprehensible $149, 000 its opening weekend.

As the planet rejoiced in the warmth of this cinematic miracle, life slowly began returning to normal and we could rest assured that Irish people were, by and large, a pleasant and fun-loving people.  Oh Real Irish Republican Army! May you never again cloud our perception of the Ireland we love yet know so little about!

If you’re still with me, Waking Ned Devine is an enjoyable romp through the lush Irish countryside with two old guys you wish were your granddads.  Jackie O’Shea and Michael O’Sullivan are two best buddies in crime as they plot a way to collect on the lottery winnings of fellow villager Ned Devine, who died from the shock of winning.  In the most hilarious endorsement of identity theft to date, the O’duo hatch a plot to hoodwink the lottery official into believing that Michael is really Ned.  The rest of the film follows their attempts to rally the rest of the villagers to go along with their plan.

As if I really needed to clarify, this film commands your undivided attention and respect.  I’m not sure it’s still available in real-life stores, but you should be able to find a copy on Ebay or Craigslist.  You will want to own this one.  I did at one time, but then I lent it to a friend who mysteriously “lost” it.  O’well!