BIMBO'S slightly clapped out red and white chip van pulled up outside the Savoy cinema in Dublin last night for the Irish premiere of The Van, the film of Roddy Doyle's bestseller.
On a cold night the film brought the enthusiastic audience back to the glory days of Italia 90, when the sun shone and the country was football mad.
The film's Irish stars were in evidence, including Donal O'Kelly (Bimbo in the movie), and comedian Brendan O'Carroll, in his big screen debut as Wesley, the wide boy who sells Bimbo and his pal Larry the mobile chip van - their dream ticket out of unemployment.
The biggest star in the film, Hollywood based Irish actor Colm Meaney, was light years away from Barrytown, however. As one of the main characters in Star Trek, he's filming Deep Space Nine, the next must see for Trekkies.
Lynda Myles, The Van's English producer, came over for the opening. This is her third time working with Roddy Doyle she also produced The Commitments and The Snapper.
Other film people spotted in the audience last night included the actor Brendan Gleeson and Ardmore's Morgan O'Sullivan.
It was a very down to earth premiere. Afterwards the guests were treated to a supper of - what else - fish and chips in Reynards nightclub.
The Van opens nationwide on November 29th and in the US in January - its American distributors held back its release to avoid a clash with that other big Irish movie, Michael Collins.
The Commitments' director, Alan Parker, produced a slang dictionary for its transatlantic audience. There are no such plans for The Van - presumably fast food, even if it is a large single and a Bimbo burger, are the same the world over.
