Watch Puckoon

Puckoon is a 2002 comedic film adapted from Spike Milligan's novel of the same name. The movie is directed by Terence Ryan, and its cast includes Sean Hughes, Elliott Gould, Daragh O'Malley, Milo O'Shea, Richard Attenborough, and David Kelly. It was filmed in County Donegal, Ireland, and features an excellent soundtrack of traditional Irish music.

The story takes place in 1924 during the partition of Ireland when the county of Ulster was divided between British Northern Ireland and the newly created Free State in the Republic of Ireland. In this context, Puckoon tells the story of a small Irish village that was divided into two locations by the new border. The village's graveyard, Puckoon, was split in half, with the left side part of Northern Ireland, and the right side part of the Free State.

The main character, Dan Milligan (Sean Hughes), is a young man who lives in the southern part of the village, but his mother's grave is on the northern side. When Dan realizes he can't visit his mother's grave anymore without crossing the border, he decides to do something about it. At first, he tries to dig a tunnel under the border, but that doesn't work. Then, he decides to move the road that runs through the village to make sure his mother's grave is on the same side as him.

Of course, this is easier said than done, and Dan's plan quickly spirals out of control, involving a group of Irish Republicans, a British Army regiment, a Protestant clergyman, a Catholic priest, and a host of eccentric locals. Chaos and humor ensue as the characters work against each other to follow through with their own agendas.

Elliot Gould portrays the British Captain who is assigned to keep the peace in the village amidst the chaos, showing the conflict between the British and the Irish people residing in the village. Meanwhile, Daragh O'Malley plays a British loyalist who wants to sabotage the Irish's Republican ambitions.

The film's main strength comes from its cast who give excellent, funny performances. Gould, in particular, is great as the bumbling British Army captain who is entirely out of his depth. Sean Hughes as Dan Milligan is also brilliant, a character who is naive in his efforts to solve the chaotic border issue.

With hilarious scenes of physical comedy, clever wordplay, and farcical plot twists, Puckoon is a great comedy that touches on some serious issues surrounding the partition of Ireland. The film stands up well, being both relatable and comedic, while also touching on themes, including war, love, and society's views on faith.

However, some critics have commented on the movie's quality, with milligan's novel being rather difficult to adapt to film. Nevertheless, it's still an enjoyable movie and a tribute to Spike Milligan's humor, showcasing his clever wit and historic tales.

All in all, Puckoon is a fun, quirky movie that delivers humor and history all at once with an amazing cast, beautiful scenery, and an uplifting soundtrack, making it a must-see for comedy lovers and Irish politics enthusiasts alike, with its notable twist at the end truly defining what makes the film a great piece of storytelling.