
Variety
Low on narrative drive, and marred by a misjudged final-act swerve into extravagant whimsy, Nicholas Hytner’s amiable luvvie-fest is enlivened by Smith’s signature irascibility.
Full reviewThe great Maggie Smith stars in this light-hearted true story as an elderly homeless woman who strikes up an unusual relationship with English playwright Alan Bennett (Alex Jennings, The Queen), whilst living in a van parked outside his house. Co-stars Jim Broadbent (Le Week-End), Dominic Cooper (My Week with Marilyn) and James Corden (One Chance).
Low on narrative drive, and marred by a misjudged final-act swerve into extravagant whimsy, Nicholas Hytner’s amiable luvvie-fest is enlivened by Smith’s signature irascibility.
Full reviewA wonderful Maggie Smith plays all this dead straight, poker-faced for maximum laughs.
Full reviewIn Ms. Smith's tough, levelheaded performance, Mary is an irascible termagant full of batty notions clutching on to life as best she can. She is hard to like, and that's good.
Full reviewSmith’s performance, honed from the previous stage and radio versions, is terrifically good.
Full reviewBennett offers Maggie Smith a chance to renovate her own recent persona with a woman who's heroically alive. Smith takes it with both hands, giving us more of the loneliness and despair of old age than the glib comedy.
Full reviewIt's fun to watch Shepherd hate on bratty children, classical music and liberal pieties.
Full reviewA delicately written, boisterously performed movie about the difficult people who dare us to care about them.
Full reviewOn the surface, The Lady in the Van is mild to a fault but - like its author - it is powered by sharp observations about life and people.
Full reviewIt's Smith's eccentric oldster who is the film's driving force, and the 80-year-old actress doesn't disappoint.
Full reviewIts droll sense of sentiment makes up significantly for its so-slight smugness. A minor gem.
Full reviewUnshowy to a fault, Hytner delivers a fine, moving comedy of English manners...
Full reviewThe Lady in the Van is available to stream in New Zealand now on Google Play and Apple TV and Neon and AroVision.
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