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The Van (1996) Certificate 15

The Van

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Rated 3.5 stars
Average rating
(68%)
 
Starring: Colm Meaney | Donal O'Kelly
Director: Stephen Frears
Studio: 20TH CENTURY FOX HOME ENTERTAINMENT
Run time: 92 mins
Genres: Comedy
Released: March 12, 2007

This is the third film adapted from a fictional trilogy by Irish writer Roddy Doyle about families living in a working-class Dublin neighborhood. The first was director Alan Parker's smashing music mockumentary The Commitments and the second was the hilarious comedy The Snapper, directed by Stephen Frears. Frears also directs this film, which is about two unemployed buddies who convert a dilapidated van into Bimbo's Burgers, a mobile fast-food joint selling fish and chips and hamburgers. Bimbo (Donal O'Kelly) is the brains behind the operation, while his slacker friend Larry (Colm Meany) is his bumbling helper. They first set up shop outside a pub to capture patrons streaming out after watching a telecast of Ireland playing in the World Cup. When Ireland is eliminated, the bumbling entrepreneurs move to a forlorn beach. They get the help of Larry's daughter Diane (Neili Conroy) and son Kevin (Rauidhuri Conroy), who soon becomes so disgusted with the fare that he becomes a vegetarian.~ Michael Betzold, All Movie Guide

Highest rated reviews

4 out of 4 people found the following review helpful:

*** May contain spoilers ***


Rated 1.0 stars
The Van a flash in the pan

moggysblogcafe from , 11th February, 2009

Very disappointing adaptation of Roddy Doyle's subtle masterpiece. The acting was atrocious and the overall direction rushed and indifferent. It failed to capture the nuance of Doyle's characterisations, totally stagey and mediocre.

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1 out of 1 people found the following review helpful:

Rated 3.0 stars
F**k Schillachi!

Kaxxx from , 1st August, 2009

As an Irishman i'm shamed to say that I haven't read a Roddy Doyle book. I've only seen this and 'The Commitments' and i'm checking out 'The Snapper' next. Anyhoo, I stuck this on last night at 2am whilst tired and I gotta say, it woke me up and had me laughin my batteries off! I know people are gonna say the movies do nothing for Doyles books but very few movies ever do (with exceptions e.g Jaws, The Godfather). Regardless, i'm sure all the set pieces are here, the feel, the heart, the look and most importantly - the Irish humor. Sure it can feel a bit stagey at times but the performances and story give a light-hearted feel and in turn, the movie captures the era perfectly. All Irish remember 'Italia '90' and Larry's T-shirt had my sentiments exactly - F**k Schillachi!!

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Rated 3.0 stars
The Van

A Customer from Harthill, Scotland, 28th February, 2010

A bit dated now but still a classic packed with Irish humour. Worth a look.

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Rated 0.0 stars
Painful to watch!

A Customer from Waterlooville, 18th October, 2009

Struggled to find the funny parts in this film! I might have chuckled quietly in a couple of places but I'd say it was more depressing than a comedy. The ending is such a let down too and wasn't worth staying up to find out what happens at the end! Very disappointed!

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Most recent reviews

Rated 5.0 stars
the van

jonpaulphillips from , 2nd April, 2009

brill irish movie, very funny!!!!

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