The Van
Seen it?1996 | 100 min | Comedy, Drama
Weeknight Watchearly ratingWhy it’s a Weeknight Watch
With middling reviews (42% on Rotten Tomatoes) and soft box office, it's a mixed bag. Fine if it's on; don't plan your night around it.
Based on critics, audiences, awards, box office and buzz. Details below.Is it for you?
- Who'll love it
- Made for anyone who wants a laugh. If you loved The Banshees of Inisherin, start here.
- The mood
- Funny with heart.
- The pace
- Takes its time with its characters, at 1 hr 40 min.
- What might put you off
- Rated R: meant for adults.
In a working-class quarter of Dublin, 'Bimbo' Reeves gets laid off from his job and, with his redundancy payout, buys a van and sells fish and chips with his buddy, Larry. Due to Ireland's surprising success at the 1990 FIFA World Cup, their business starts off well, but the relationship between the two friends soon becomes strained as Bimbo behaves more like a typical boss.
How it earned its rating
- CriticsBelow par
42% on Rotten Tomatoes
- AudiencesNot counted
Not measured yet: not enough ratings
- AwardsNot counted
No major awards or nominations
- Box office & staying powerBelow par
$712K worldwide; still draws a steady audience long after release
- Buzz & cultural impactBelow par
About 34K people sought it out in the past year, and interest is climbing
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Cast & crew
Directed by Stephen Frears
- Colm MeaneyLarry
- Donal O'Kelly'Bimbo'
- Ger RyanMaggie
- Caroline RothwellMary
- Neilí ConroyDiane
- Rúaidhrí ConroyKevin
- Brendan O'CarrollWeslie
- Stuart DunneSam
- Jack LynchCancer
- Laurie MortonMaggie's Mum