38 PERCENT.
It’s a mark that would fail you in a Leaving Cert subject and a score that, no matter the context, would be considered a seriously poor showing.
And it’s what the movie adaptation of Roddy Doyle’s classic The Van has on Rotten Tomatoes
For shame.
Out of 21 reviews counted on the site, 13 were deemed to be rotten and only eight were fresh. The critics aren’t fans of Bimbo and Larry – but they just don’t get it.
Because The Van perfectly summed up the atmosphere of Ireland in a World Cup
“Blow the f**king whistle, ref!”
And there’s not that many films where spice burgers are discussed at length
Colm Meaney as Larry is up there with the best Dub characters ever committed to screen ffs.
The Van sums up the grim awkwardness of an Irish Christmas
And the wonderful hysteria of Italia ’90
There’s Dublin landmarks dotted throughout
Which is the kind of scenery that might be lost on some international critics
It might not pack the same punch as The Commitments and The Snapper, but 38%? Please
The audience score on Rotten Tomatoes is at least a respectable 71% – but a casual Google will bring you to this
First impressions count, and somebody Googling The Van might get the instant impression that “ah, that’s a bit shite – will give it a miss.”
Which is not the appropriate reaction.
The Van is a nostalgic Irish classic, and doesn’t deserve to be sullied with such a low score
Rotten.
