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.
Acting
Meaney and O'Kelly's lived-in chemistry makes the collapse devastating.
Direction
Frears captures Dublin's specifics without the tourist sheen.
Writing
Doyle's dialogue snaps with working-class wit and buried resentment.
Director
Stephen Frears
Trivia, insights & behind the scenes
Part of Roddy Doyle's 'Barrytown Trilogy' — The Commitments got the glory, but this is the most quietly devastating entry.
The van itself was a real working chipper; crew members reportedly ate from it between takes.
GB
IE
