Friday, 5/30/97 Another Trip to Barrytown FILM: Author Roddy
Doyle’s favorite neighborhood returns to the big screen with the
movie version of the last installment of the Barrytown trilogy,
‘The Van.’
By Brandon Wilson Daily Bruin Staff Director Stephen Frears
bounces back from the debacle of "Mary Reilly" with a very
different film about the Irish. Rounding out the Barrytown trilogy
written by Irish novelist Roddy Doyle, "The Van" features much of
the humor, characterizations and humanity that marked the trilogy’s
first two installments, "The Commitments" (directed by Alan Parker)
and "The Snapper" (also directed by Frears). Also returning is
actor Colm Meaney, known stateside for his role as Chief O’Brien in
the "Star Trek" shows, who makes his third appearance in the
Barrytown trilogy. Don’t think you shouldn’t see "The Van" if you
haven’t seen one or both of the previous chapters, because even
though Meaney has been the patriarch in all three films, each film
is centered around a different family in the same fictitious Dublin
neighborhood of Barrytown. Meaney’s characters have been different
in each film, but they ultimately are the same likable everyman,
and having Meaney portray them all underlines that point (even
though this is a different family from the one in "The Snapper,"
the eldest daughter in "The Van" has an infant child in keeping
with the last film). Set at the close of 1989, the story opens in a
pub as Bimbo Reeves (played by Donal O’Kelly) reels from the shock
of being sacked from his job. Bimbo has been lifelong friends with
Larry (Meaney), a good-natured bloke who, like many in the pub, is
out of work and on the dole. Not one for passivity, Bimbo sets out
to find employment, even if it’s at a fast-food parlor. Then one
night, Bimbo receives inspiration while eyeing a Vietnamese
catering truck. He’ll buy a van, and sell fish and chips, burgers
and whatever else he can think of to fry. Sharing his brainchild
with Larry, Bimbo makes his good friend a business partner. Larry
christens the vehicle with the logo "Bimbo’s Burger’s." Now all
they need is a van. As the buddies contend with the most
dilapidated and downright cruddy vehicle on the Emerald Isle, they
get it ready in time for the 1990 World Cup, in which Ireland is a
contender. Don’t expect any major plot twists or Hollywood-style
contrivances (no government spy is going to hide a floppy disk in
the van to start a high tension chase). This is simply a film about
people, with all the comedy, foibles and insights of everyday folk.
The humor can be subtle (definitely not for Jim Carrey fans). Also,
it may take some getting used to the rhythms of this distinct
culture, but it’s clear that Doyle, Frears and company have a lot
of affection for the Barrytown denizens they’re bringing to life.
The only major plot development is the inevitable strain that
running the van together puts on Larry and Bimbo’s friendship.
Meaney and O’Kelly are completely convincing as old friends, and
both realize their characters beautifully. When conflict erupts,
neither is truly contemptible for their actions. They’re simply
having it out the way old friends do, and capturing that on screen
is not as easy as it looks. Frears works well with longtime
collaborators cinematographer Oliver Stapleton and editor Mick
Audsley, and Eric Clapton makes a welcome contribution to the
film’s soundtrack. "The Van" might seem an odd entry to the
American film market right now, as braying dinosaurs tear up the
box-office records. And while there’s always a place for spectacle
at the movies, it is truly a treat to see a film like "The Van,"
which simply takes a look at the comedy and tragedy of day-to-day
life. As summer begins, do yourself a favor and see something
without special effects or explosions, at least once. Because in
the end, any film that can give you a slice of life, be at once
specific (to a certain time and milieu) and universal, and
successfully chronicle the peaks and valleys of friendship has
pulled off a grander feat than digital technology can ever muster.
Grade: B+ FILM: "The Van" opens today. Fox Searchlight Pictures
Colm Meaney stars as Larry, Donal O’Kelly as Bimbo and Brendan
O’Carroll as Weslie in Stephen Frears’ "The Van" Fox Searchlight
Pictures Ger Ryan, Colm Meaney, and Ruaidrhri Conroy star in the
third instillment of Fear’s trilogy, "The Van" Fox Searchlight
Pictures Colm Meaney and Donal O’Kelly star as a couple Irish men
going into business in "The Van"