Hadrina
The movie's neither hopeful in contrived ways, nor hopeless in different contrived ways. Somehow it manages to be wonderful
Raymond Sierra
The film may be flawed, but its message is not.
Kinley
This movie feels like it was made purely to piss off people who want good shows
cinematechal
Does anybody know anywhere in the word where i can purchase a 100 minute dvd (ie : 1hour & 40 mins) and in Dolby Digital 5.1 sound version of the van? as the region 2 version is only 92 mins? it has been cut by 8 minutes?? the scene that was cut, was the couple in a house complaining about racing pigeons?? (while supposed to be having dinner supplied by "the van")
gpeevers
Colm Meaney returns for the third time in Roddy Doyle's 'Barrytown' trilogy as Larry the father of a Dublin family, he is currently unemployed and lacking prospects when his close friend Bimbo also loses his job. But Bimbo has a plan, the two will partner up to operate a chip van and take advantage of the upcoming 1990 World Cup when no one will have any time to cook, their enterprise will be known as 'Bimbo's Burgers'. Starting off with filthy rundown and engine less van they have their triumphs and their squabbles but always with their families close by.It's a nice slice of life story about friendship, with some wonderful funny moments, this was the type of film Britain did so well in this era, no spectacular effects just a good story, a good cast and a solid production. The film also features music by Eric Clapton.The Barrytown trilogy from Roddy Doyle also included "The Commitments" and "The Snapper". Both "The Van" and "The Snapper" were directed by Stephen Frears perhaps best known now for "The Queen" for which he received an Oscar nomination, he was also nominated for "The Grifters". While both of these films are definitely worth watching, the best of the three by far is "The Commitments" which was directed by Alan Parker.
esbarnard
The characters drink, bicker, whine, drink more, try to get their act together, bicker, whine, drink, whine...The writers could have used someone to ask them some tough questions. Why are these characters friends? What are you trying to say about these people? If the answer is "for some people, hard work will never pay off," then pray tell us, why not? Does it have something to do with being Irish? If so, what? If not, then what? The friendship between the protagonists is not adequately developed, and when the friendship hits rough times it is hard to care. They didn't seem to like each other very much to begin with. I began not to like them. I didn't see them as tormented, confused or angry, just disagreeable.Although I don't demand that all films about the Irish have a gentle Bill Forsyth touch, a little of his character development and motivation would have helped here. The concept is charming, why are the characters so harsh and helpless?
jthomas7193
I love movies set in Ireland and Colm Meaney is great. This is a fun movie, with humor and an interesting angle on life in Ireland. Colm was in another movie made from this author's work, The Snapper, and that was a howler. This movie is a must for fan's of Irish movies.
