The Commitments/The Van

Double bill of comedy dramas based on novels by Irish writer Roddy Doyle.

Directed by Alan Parker, 'The Commitments' (1991) stars an ensemble of unknown actors and musicians.

Slick young Dubliner Jimmy Rabbitte (Robert Arkins) puts together a soul band made up of Dublin's out-of-work misfits.

Starting from scratch, the group members re-discover a sense of pride as they master the discipline necessary to make music.

An ageing trumpet player, who claims to have worked with all the greats, takes charge of their musical education, but internal feuds and the realities of modern life threaten to overwhelm the band.

Stephen Frears directs the comedy drama 'The Van' (1996).

When Bimbo Reeves (Donal O'Kelly) is made redundant from his job in Dublin, he begins hanging around with his unemployed friend Larry (Colm Meaney).

Larry convinces Bimbo to use his redundancy money to buy a van, from which the pair intend to sell fish and chips to the crowds massing for the 1990 World Cup.

Even if they make a go of the fast food business, can their friendship stand the strain?