THE VAN

UK, 1996, 105 minutes, Colour.
Colm Meaney, Donal O' Kelly.
Directed by Stephen Frears.

If you saw The Commitments and The Snapper, then you will know what to expect (and what to hear from the swearing Dubliners) in this third of Roddy Doyle's Barrytown trilogy. This time we focus on the parent generation and, more particularly, the theme of job retrenchment and unemployment. Australian audiences will resonate with this Irish experience and the effect it has, especially on the layed-off men - and the exhilaration of setting up a fish and chip van (and the first customers from pubs celebrating Irish success in the 1990 World Cup).

It is also a strong story of friendship, not of its underlying nobility, although that is implied. But, it is rather the at-times crazy ups and downs, the mood-swings between friends, the influence of spouses, of the drink and of the clash of temperaments. Stephen Frears, who also directed The Snapper, is in control of the material and has made a fine film of working-class Dublin. It flows with humour, pathos and sadness, a satisfying pace and an ending that keeps you thinking as you leave the theatre. Booker-prize winner, Roddy Doyle, has adapted his novel and the cast led by Colm Meaney, who has appeared in each film, give body to the nuances of their characters. You feel that you know these people and have been there.

1. The work of Roddy Doyle, his novels, their awards? The film versions? The Barrytown Trilogy? Audience expectations?

2. The perspective on Ireland and Dublin in the '90s?

3. The atmosphere of Barrytown: the town itself, the homes, the streets, the people? The pubs, drinking, enjoying themselves, watching the football? The vans and the street stands? The open roads and the countryside, the beach? Authentic atmosphere?

4. The musical score? Atmosphere? The contribution of Eric Clapton?

5. How well did the film stand on its own? Presupposing the earlier films?

6. The title and its focus?

7. The introduction about unemployment? Bimbo and his grief, the pub, weeping? Having time on his hands? Being consoled by Larry? Larry as unemployed? The bonds between Bimbo and Larry? Their wives? Home life? Comparisons? The introduction of serious themes underlying the comic portrait of the people?

8. Larry and his pushy style? His love for Mary Ellen, the sequences at home, the kitchen, the bedroom, the bond of love between them? His attitude towards Kevin - and his taunting him, wanting him to work, study and succeed? Kevin and his humour at home and Larry's reactions? His daughter and the snapper, looking after the baby? His being unemployed, idle? Taunts at home by Kevin about the state paying for the meals? Going to the pub, drinking, getting drunk? The group of friends? His wanting to cheer up Bimbo? Playing golf with him and the humour of Bimbo's not being able to play? Watching the soccer and the atmosphere of the World Cup? Larry's world?

9. The contrast with Bimbo, his story and the long years of work, being retrenched? Weeping, the support of his wife, home with the kids? His going out drinking with his friends? Playing golf?

10. Weslie and co., drinking pals, the background of their lives and work, homes? Gerald Mc Carthy and the humorous scene about his identity? The drinking - and the reaction to the police, cheeky, friends? '

11. Weslie finding the van, his reaction? Larry and Bimbo? Dirty, abandoned, the tyres? Pushing it back home, everyone from the neighbourhood joining in, the children following? Cleaning up the van, removing the grease, the kids cleaning out the inside? The decision for Bimbo to use the van? Offering Larry a partnership? The responses of Mary Ellen and Maggie? The plans for building up the business?

12. The preparation of the van, of the food, learning how to cook, what to buy? The plans for the fans watching the soccer in the pub? The bingo ladies? Selling the chips, the crowds, trying to cope? Larry's daughter and her helping out - and the episode with the baby and the nappy? Larry not consulting Bimbo and his not understanding Bimbo's asking for consultation?

13. Getting the permit, getting Kevin to help, his not wanting to cook anything with meat? The various problems with the crowds and the timing? The thugs and pushing over the van? Going to the rock concerts - Megadeath?

14. The clashes between Bimbo and Larry, Bimbo and his being more level-headed, Larry and his passionate nature? The strength of their friendship? Their going to the pub dressed up, the 27 pounds for the wine? Chatting up the girls, Bimbo and his success, Larry and his reaction? Going to the toilet, Bimbo deciding to go home? Larry and his anger? His going home and his reaction to Mary Ellen? Her wanting to tell him about her studies and exam, and her good pass? Kevin's good pass? Larry's reaction to being awarded a wage and his reaction to Maggie? (And Maggie thinking that Larry didn't like her?)

15. Going to the union, the discussion about union issues, his taking his tea break? Bimbo's reaction, Kevin's?

16. The health inspector and his examination of the van, his demands and their failing the inspection?

17. The final fight, Bimbo and his being upset, driving the van into the sea? The irony of the tide going out and its being left stranded? Would they start the van again and go into business together? What had each of them learnt by their experience with the van?

18. A glimpse of Dubliners? Irish spirit - especially with the World Cup and the enthusiastic fans (and the silence when they were losing)? Barrytown and its moods? People, language, earthy humour? Social issues, especially unemployment? An optimistic film about human nature?