The Van

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The Van

R

Released May 16, 1996

1h 45m

Comedy

Drama

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Tomatometer

Popcornmeter

40%

Tomatometer

20 Reviews

71%

Popcornmeter

500+ Ratings

Given his experience working with food, it's hardly surprising that after losing his job at a bakery, Brendan "Bimbo" Reeves (Donal O'Kelly) becomes successful selling fried morsels from a van. He hires Larry (Colm Meaney), his best friend, to help, but having Bimbo for a boss doesn't improve their relationship. The van is eventually closed down by a health inspector -- which Bimbo thinks is because Larry ratted him out over questionable food prep techniques -- and their friendship is severed.

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Roger Ebert

Chicago Sun-Times

The movie builds its comic scenes by close observation.

Rated: 3/4

Jan 1, 2000

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USA Today

This third movie from novelist Roddy Doyle's Barrytown Trilogy is as good-natured as The Commitments and The Snapper but far less consistent.

Rated: 2/4

Jan 1, 2000

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Cole Smithey

ColeSmithey.com

Rated: 4/5

Mar 27, 2006

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Film Threat

Rated: 2.5/5

Dec 6, 2005

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Emanuel Levy

EmanuelLevy.Com

Rated: 2/5

Jul 4, 2005

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Robert Roten

Laramie Movie Scope

Rated: 2/5

Apr 27, 2005

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sean G

A great Irish movie , lovely story and a nice snapshot of Irish life, Irish football and Irish family life , great cast 10/10

Rated 5 out of 5 stars

07/18/24

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Jason

Loved every second of this.

Rated 5 out of 5 stars

10/28/23

Full Review

Audience Member

Between 2.5 and 3 stars. Looks a better story could have been developed from there.

Rated 3 out of 5 stars

01/25/23

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Audience Member

Superbly funny and a fantastic adaptation from the book penned by real life genius that is Roddy Doyle!!

Rated 5 out of 5 stars

02/25/23

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Audience Member

Don't really get films like this anymore, shame really - I've watched this a few times and loved it everytime

Rated 5 out of 5 stars

02/15/23

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Audience Member

Great flick that stands the test of time no problem!!

Rated 4.5 out of 5 stars

02/15/23

Full Review

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Stephen Frears

Director

Colm Meaney

Larry

Donal O'Kelly

'Bimbo'

Ger Ryan

Maggie Reeves, Bimbo's Wife

Caroline Rothwell

Mary, Larry's Wife

Neilí Conroy

Diane

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41%

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Synopsis

Given his experience working with food, it's hardly surprising that after losing his job at a bakery, Brendan "Bimbo" Reeves (Donal O'Kelly) becomes successful selling fried morsels from a van. He hires Larry (Colm Meaney), his best friend, to help, but having Bimbo for a boss doesn't improve their relationship. The van is eventually closed down by a health inspector -- which Bimbo thinks is because Larry ratted him out over questionable food prep techniques -- and their friendship is severed.

Director: Stephen Frears
Producer: Lynda Myles
Screenwriter: Roddy Doyle
Distributor: Fox, 20th Century Fox
Production Co: Fox Searchlight, Beacon Communications
Rating: R
Genre: Comedy, Drama
Original Language: English
Release Date (Theaters): May 16, 1996, Original
Release Date (Streaming): Sep 18, 2012
Box Office (Gross USA): $621.1K
Runtime: 1h 45m
Sound Mix: Surround, Dolby SR

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