Sadly the execution of said plot left a bit to be desired. Lightweight mediocre comedy which was at least painless to watch.
27 Reviews
The plot promised a really good laugh
samthejudgeamos18 September 2021
Not as good as I had hoped, but still entertaining
PinkPuffin20 October 2021
It's been a long time since I saw an Irish film, so when I came across this, I thought I'd give it a go.
I was however, underwhelmed. I didn't laugh once. The characters' plan and execution was just too ridiculous to believe (think Allo Allo), and the main characters seemed a bit over acted. It's a shame, because I think the entire storyline could have been done so much better! I don't think it was a complete waste of time though, and would recommend if you want to turn off your brain for the evening and just want something a bit different.
I was however, underwhelmed. I didn't laugh once. The characters' plan and execution was just too ridiculous to believe (think Allo Allo), and the main characters seemed a bit over acted. It's a shame, because I think the entire storyline could have been done so much better! I don't think it was a complete waste of time though, and would recommend if you want to turn off your brain for the evening and just want something a bit different.
Quite good
paul_haakonsen6 June 2010
This movie turned out to be better than I had anticipated. I thought it was just going to be yet another comedy. But "Holy Water" is more than just your average comedy.
The story was good and catchy right from the beginning, and it just got better and better as the story progressed throughout the movie. The characters in the movie were well fleshed out and had lots of depth.
As for the cast. Well nothing to point your fingers at here. Although they did have fairly big names like Linda Hamilton and Tony "Tiny" Lister, the movie would have worked even without their names on the list.
Well, it is not the kind of comedy that will leave you laughing yourself breathless, but it got enough satire and 'out there' comedy to keep you amused throughout the entire movie.
If you are in for an evening, "Holy Water" is a good choice for a movie to watch. Though you should know that they are speaking English with heavy Irish accent, but that fact shouldn't keep movie fans at bay.
The story was good and catchy right from the beginning, and it just got better and better as the story progressed throughout the movie. The characters in the movie were well fleshed out and had lots of depth.
As for the cast. Well nothing to point your fingers at here. Although they did have fairly big names like Linda Hamilton and Tony "Tiny" Lister, the movie would have worked even without their names on the list.
Well, it is not the kind of comedy that will leave you laughing yourself breathless, but it got enough satire and 'out there' comedy to keep you amused throughout the entire movie.
If you are in for an evening, "Holy Water" is a good choice for a movie to watch. Though you should know that they are speaking English with heavy Irish accent, but that fact shouldn't keep movie fans at bay.
Have some fun! Watch this movie!
ScareDog13 September 2021
Fairly decent, sort-of.
g-hbe13 February 2022
A group of Irish mates can see no future in their village, so they decide to get rich quick by hi-jacking the Pfizer van as it picks up a vast consignment of Viagra tablets, or 'shag the missus pills' as they like to call them. Needless to say their plans go awry and in a panic they hide their spoils down a local well, and when the canisters begin to leak, the locals get a bit of a lift...
and with the Americans turning up to see what's going on there's plenty of scope for lots of running around and even more panic. A good natured, lightweight, middle of the road comedy.
Should have been funny but just wasn't
dartmouth-390138 September 2021
Somehow this film just never got into its stride.
There was nothing to identify with.
The village had no shape. The camera just shuffled between walls and around random doorways as did the cast, where the charm of the village was constantly referred to.
It got off to a really slow start with a stilted script worthy of a 6th form play.
The cast seemed awkward as if they had only been together for a week or so, with no chemistry between them all at all.
The Irish famously blend humour with charm and great timing. This film had none of this.
It could have been a bit of a gem given hard work, dedication, self reflexive humour and actual comic timing. Very disappointing.
There was nothing to identify with.
The village had no shape. The camera just shuffled between walls and around random doorways as did the cast, where the charm of the village was constantly referred to.
It got off to a really slow start with a stilted script worthy of a 6th form play.
The cast seemed awkward as if they had only been together for a week or so, with no chemistry between them all at all.
The Irish famously blend humour with charm and great timing. This film had none of this.
It could have been a bit of a gem given hard work, dedication, self reflexive humour and actual comic timing. Very disappointing.
Fun little film...
kjcmoviefan7 December 2020
This movie reminds me of Waking Ned Devine and Saving Grace. Just a small Irish town with fun, colorful characters and larcenous minds. The thing I really got out kick out of was the recipes inserted into the closing credits.
A poor effort
arthurdaley6916 July 2013
One of the weakest films I've seen in a long time. Some talented actors are assembled but the script is lazy and lets them down. They could have literally phoned their lines in and in some scenes they may well have done just that. The characters don't know whether they are Irish or Northern Irish and they sound like neither. For instance the postman's van is marked 'Poste' and looks like a Republic of Ireland post van but seems to be delivering across the border.
Potential wasted in my opinion.
Interestingly there is a huge disclaimer from 'Pfizer' at the start of the movie which must mean there was conflict over the depiction of their product in the movie.
Potential wasted in my opinion.
Interestingly there is a huge disclaimer from 'Pfizer' at the start of the movie which must mean there was conflict over the depiction of their product in the movie.
fun little film! some twists along the way.
ksf-220 March 2024
An ensemble cast. When the locals of killcoulin's leap can't find work, they start looking for other ways to get rich quick. They hit on a plan to snitch the pfizer truck, which brings the viagra pills in from the factory to be transported. And of course, everything goes wrong. A fun battle of wits between the tv station reporters and the local coppers. Some digs at murrica. Also lots of digs at life in the small, outer, irish towns. A fun moment when the investigators check in at the hotel, which one of the robbers happens to own. Some other fun twists along the way! It's goofy. But fun. Lots of silly sight gags, so you have to pay attention! Such an adventure. Directed by tom reeve. He had more than his share of stinkers as producer, but did much better when he was director!
Enjoyable enough but confusing
ollyncfc31 December 2021
Interesting plot, some good actors and a few laughs but not laugh a minute.
I also found it very confusing. It was supposedly set in Ulster but which side of the border was difficult to fathom.
Was it set in one of the six Ulster Counties (Antrim, Armagh, Derry, Down, Fermanagh, Tyrone) that make up Northern Ireland (NI) or one of the three Ulster Counties (Donegal, Cavan and Monaghan) situated in the Republic of Ireland (ROI)?
So many things contradicted itself... 1) All the civilian vehicles had NI number plates suggesting the village is in NI.
Yet, Podge The Postman lives in the village but drives a green ROI Post van as opposed to a red NI Royal Mail van. However, the green ROI Post van itself has an NI number plate??
2) The police cars also have Northern Ireland number plates with the logo 'Police' (as seen in NI) as opposed to Garda (as seen in ROI). However, the police officers themselves appear to wear Garda uniforms, made more confusing because they are emblazoned with the word 'Police' (as seen in NI) as opposed to Garda (as seen in ROI).
3) It is indicated the film is possibly set close to Derry (in the West) yet in one scene Podge is seen at Belfast Harbour (in the East) dropping off mail in his little green ROI Post van as if it just down the road from his village. Additionally, everyone at the harbour seems to know him as if he is a local even though the distance between Derry and Belfast is approx 75 miles and a two hour drive on a good day. None of that makes any sense whatsoever.
4) Almost none of the actors had anything close to an Ulster accent (whether that be a North, South, East or West Ulster accent).
They almost all had a wide variety of southern accents even though it was indicated the vast majority of the cast had all resided in the same Ulster village their entire lives. Again, this was very confusing.
5) No attempt was made to address the accent situation. Even brother and sister, husband and wife had different accents. It deserves brownie points for using an all Irish cast as opposed to English and American actors doing playing Irish citizens but the director could have at least asked the Southern Irish actors to try and sound as if they came from the same place in Ulster.
6) It was supposedly set in Ulster but there was not a protestant to be seen as was easily evident by the entire cast having Irish names. Even the police officers had Irish names and were good friends with everyone in the village. Given the history of the troubles and divided communities, this just would not happen in 2009 NI to the extent it is portrayed.
I have a feeling the film was made for an American/British audience as opposed to an Irish audience.
It's reasonably enjoyable if you can see past the glaring disparities but if you are going to make a film, don't make it so it's hugely incorrect and or confusing from a geographical, historical and cultural point of view. If you can't even get the basics correct, it's just lazy film making.
I also found it very confusing. It was supposedly set in Ulster but which side of the border was difficult to fathom.
Was it set in one of the six Ulster Counties (Antrim, Armagh, Derry, Down, Fermanagh, Tyrone) that make up Northern Ireland (NI) or one of the three Ulster Counties (Donegal, Cavan and Monaghan) situated in the Republic of Ireland (ROI)?
So many things contradicted itself... 1) All the civilian vehicles had NI number plates suggesting the village is in NI.
Yet, Podge The Postman lives in the village but drives a green ROI Post van as opposed to a red NI Royal Mail van. However, the green ROI Post van itself has an NI number plate??
2) The police cars also have Northern Ireland number plates with the logo 'Police' (as seen in NI) as opposed to Garda (as seen in ROI). However, the police officers themselves appear to wear Garda uniforms, made more confusing because they are emblazoned with the word 'Police' (as seen in NI) as opposed to Garda (as seen in ROI).
3) It is indicated the film is possibly set close to Derry (in the West) yet in one scene Podge is seen at Belfast Harbour (in the East) dropping off mail in his little green ROI Post van as if it just down the road from his village. Additionally, everyone at the harbour seems to know him as if he is a local even though the distance between Derry and Belfast is approx 75 miles and a two hour drive on a good day. None of that makes any sense whatsoever.
4) Almost none of the actors had anything close to an Ulster accent (whether that be a North, South, East or West Ulster accent).
They almost all had a wide variety of southern accents even though it was indicated the vast majority of the cast had all resided in the same Ulster village their entire lives. Again, this was very confusing.
5) No attempt was made to address the accent situation. Even brother and sister, husband and wife had different accents. It deserves brownie points for using an all Irish cast as opposed to English and American actors doing playing Irish citizens but the director could have at least asked the Southern Irish actors to try and sound as if they came from the same place in Ulster.
6) It was supposedly set in Ulster but there was not a protestant to be seen as was easily evident by the entire cast having Irish names. Even the police officers had Irish names and were good friends with everyone in the village. Given the history of the troubles and divided communities, this just would not happen in 2009 NI to the extent it is portrayed.
I have a feeling the film was made for an American/British audience as opposed to an Irish audience.
It's reasonably enjoyable if you can see past the glaring disparities but if you are going to make a film, don't make it so it's hugely incorrect and or confusing from a geographical, historical and cultural point of view. If you can't even get the basics correct, it's just lazy film making.
A fun, feel-good movie
rkeen8027 May 2010
In a sleepy Irish village, nothing much is happening and the only exciting part of everyone's week is when the local band play in the pub. Then with job cuts and no prospects of financial security, local postman, Podger Burns (Cornelius Clarke), hatches a plan to hijack a shipment of Viagra and together with his band-mates (John Lynch, Lochlainn O Mearin, Cian Barry), the heist is set in motion. This is a fun film. It reminded me a little of A Fish Called Wanda, Waking Ned and many of the old Ealing Comedies. Full of Irish character actors, bursting with charm, good performances, this is an ideal way to spend 90 minutes. There are some truly comic moments and the dialogue cracks along. There's something for everyone here.
Not a masterpiece but quite funny
StarPolymer8 March 2023
This is a great movie for a rainy Tuesday evening. It's not a masterpiece and the storyline has no great dept but the actors are putting in a great effort to make this movie enjoyable.
It does start a bit slow but picks up speed towards the end. If you however are one for bold American comedies, this is not for you. It's more a giggle here and there. That fact that there is a happy ending (no pun intended) that is rather unbelievable but wholesome nonetheless helps. It did rush through the last bit though and after the slow start in the beginning I sort of expected more. Good bit of fun though.
It does start a bit slow but picks up speed towards the end. If you however are one for bold American comedies, this is not for you. It's more a giggle here and there. That fact that there is a happy ending (no pun intended) that is rather unbelievable but wholesome nonetheless helps. It did rush through the last bit though and after the slow start in the beginning I sort of expected more. Good bit of fun though.
No fun at all
wpjheric-9704324 July 2019
Paddywhackery
paulholmes-2969317 September 2021
Cliche ridden
dierregi30 November 2021
As you know, all the Irish are catholic eccentrics, none too smart but good natured, who live in idyllic villages in the middle of nowhere. The economy is always bad but they don't mind, because the village is like a big family.
The plot is about four such characters who decide to hijack a Pfizer van to solve their financial problems, but end up throwing the content in a well, because pursued by the police.
What follows is a million juvenile jokes on Viagra and the defeat of a bunch of US cops (headed nonetheless by Linda Hamilton in dire need of a job). Everybody in the village will live happily ever after, thanks to the fountain of youth sprouting in the village and attracting load of tourists to the "spas".
The plot is about four such characters who decide to hijack a Pfizer van to solve their financial problems, but end up throwing the content in a well, because pursued by the police.
What follows is a million juvenile jokes on Viagra and the defeat of a bunch of US cops (headed nonetheless by Linda Hamilton in dire need of a job). Everybody in the village will live happily ever after, thanks to the fountain of youth sprouting in the village and attracting load of tourists to the "spas".
All over the place
grahamreid-964665 January 2022
Northern Irish number plates and signage, Republic of Ireland post vans, accents from everywhere in Ireland but Belfast (where it's allegedly set) and shot in Devon.
Maybe ok for an American audience- but anyone with any knowledge of Ireland will find it very hard to swallow. Then there's the laboured dialogue and clichés. There's so many better Irish films to watch, if that's what your after.
Maybe ok for an American audience- but anyone with any knowledge of Ireland will find it very hard to swallow. Then there's the laboured dialogue and clichés. There's so many better Irish films to watch, if that's what your after.
Authentic? Who cares?
davidcollins192417 March 2010
I saw this film in London when it was release in February and was surprised when I read some negative reviews. Some sour-faced reviewer said there were no laughs in it. He must have seen a different film. But what annoyed me about the naysayers most was their insistence that it wasn't a good film because it was not filmed in Ireland, but in Devon and therefore not authentic and therefore no good! I can't see the logic to this argument at all. It's not a documentary, it's a comedy that happens to take place in Ireland with Irish characters. In fact all the Irish characters in the film are played by Irish actors(I have lots of free time to comb the net). I got some news for those who disliked this film for daring to be filmed not in Ireland; Gone with the Wind was not filmed in the "Deep South", but in Hollywood. The Johnny Weissmuller Tarzan films were not filmed in India or Africa, but in Hollywood. The Wizard of Oz was not filmed in the Land of Oz or even in Australia, but in Hollywood. WAKING NED (Irish film with a Scot playing one of the main leads) was filmed in the Isle of Man, not Ireland. Mary Poppins was not filmed in London, but in Hollywood.Okay, Seven Samuraii was filmed in Japan, but did the film-makers go back in time to the 1600s? No!NOT AUTHENTIC! Most of Titanic was filmed in a water tank in Mexico, not the North Atlantic. Casablanca was not film in Morrocco, but in ... you guessed it. Does it make any of those films less enjoyable knowing they are not "authentic"? If you answered yes, then go and write crappy reviews of films that are trying nothing more than to entertain you. How dare they? I WILL NOT FEEL GOOD AND POSITIVE BECAUSE I HATE HATE HATE. I WANTED TO WRITE NOVELS INSTEAD OF THREE COLUMNS IN A NEWSPAPER!!!! Anyway, I thought Holy WAter was a good film. Okay, it could have been better, but as far as I know it is a low-budget independent film that probably needed a break. But the school bullies have grown up and now write film reviews!"Let's kick it before it has a chance to get up"!
How had I missed this? Luck, I guess.
fionawills-2250121 November 2021
Looking for something light- hearted to watch, I found Hard Times. Ah, an Irish comedy, that should be worth a watch....how wrong I was. The plot had some promise, but I simply couldn't ignore the "oh come on, that wouldn't happen" moments. I was almost shouting at the screen, forgetting it was supposed to be a comedy. For me, the film failed to deliver. By the time it got a bit "raunchy", I'd lost interest.
Fundamental flaw.
ShanklinPJB12 December 2021
Warning: Spoilers
This is a really so so movie which appears funnier than it actually is. The main flaw is that the whole Viagra in the water supply causing the villagers to become sex crazed is complete nonsense as Viagra does nothing for sex drive ...it simply helps erectile disfunction. Mildly amusing but I wouldn't bother.
Hard done by
norgstar-1777121 February 2022
Tacky subject matter
repete5229 April 2022
Holy Galore
t-mooney9 February 2010
At last, an film set in Ireland not about "the troubles" or the sleazier side of the working classes. Although, that's not to say this film isn't without it's sleazy characters. But, this is a fun film. In the tradition of the Ealing comedies, this tells the story of a sleepy town, filled with characters who live within each others pockets. In the town, four men, led by the village postman (who steals, rather than delivers the post), come up with a plan to hijack a truck filled with little blue pills (there was a disclaimer at the front of the film saying Pfizer wanted nothing to do with the depiction of their little blue pills - why? what else do people use them for?). Anyway ... they steal the pills, convinced they're worth a few thousand. But when Linda Hamilton and her SWAT team turn up, they realise they're worth considerably more. The four hijackers are in over their heads. They panic and put the pills into the local well. Guess what happens? Yep! This is a fun film, packed with gags. Some work, some don't, but the main thing is it's fun. Come on, we've seen Avatar, let's get behind a small film with big ideas. When I went to the screening of this film, it was by no means full, but those of us that were there were laughing. Often and loudly.
extremely amusing
yris200217 March 2011
A small, sleepy Irish town, on wonderful cliffs, some funny characters, a comic plot bursting with gags and sound fun and the movie appeals, in every sense. If you want to enjoy a truly amusing picture, full of humanity, sounding picturesque but never grotesque, take a chance on "Holy water". You will spend 90 minutes in good company, with those realistic and true characters that only movies like these have (see for example the French "Bienvenue chez les Ch'tis" to find a similar authentic cast), not being ruined by Linda Hamilton and company coming from the great Hollywood environment, on the contrary they amalgamate very well, to create a pleasant and always familiar atmosphere. Another enthusiastic, exciting, and authentic Irish-made comedy.
I had good laugh
tarkin-303246 January 2022
Do you want to relax? Something funny? Funny and no explosion- there it is. I had lots of fun watching it. Refreshing after all this mind game movies with twist after twist. I didn't set at the edge of my seat. I was laying comfortably on my couch. Have good time.
Absolutely hilarious (a comedy like the good old days)
harisios8028 March 2022
It s so so so... underestimated.
Today average rating is 5.8 in imdb, it should be over 7.0 (most Good comedies vary from 6.0 to 7.2) This movie is both classical and cult comedy.
It makes you feel like a hometown kid. It makes you laugh about every day details. It makes you forget your every day problems. It makes you have a good time. Isn't it what it does make a great film. Relax and enjoy it.
Today average rating is 5.8 in imdb, it should be over 7.0 (most Good comedies vary from 6.0 to 7.2) This movie is both classical and cult comedy.
It makes you feel like a hometown kid. It makes you laugh about every day details. It makes you forget your every day problems. It makes you have a good time. Isn't it what it does make a great film. Relax and enjoy it.
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