Triple bill of comedy dramas based on the novels by Irish writer Roddy Doyle.
In 'The Commitments' (1991) 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 rediscover 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.
In 'The Snapper' (1993) Dessie Curley (Colm Meaney) is a plasterer who lives with his wife Kay (Ruth McCabe) and six lively children while one of whom, Sharon (Tina Kellegher), announces that she is pregnant. The family don't believe her story that the dad is a Spanish sailor and suspicion falls upon a neighbour (Pat Laffan) who is just about to leave his wife.
Finally, in 'The Van' (1996) Bimbo Reeves (Donal O'Kelly) is made redundant from his job in Dublin and begins hanging around with his unemployed friend Larry (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 however, can their friendship stand the strain?