The Lady in the Van
The 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).
- Director:
- Nicholas Hytner ('The History Boys')
- Writer:
- Alan Bennett
- Cast:
- Maggie SmithAlex JenningsJim BroadbentDominic CooperJames CordenFrances de la Tour
Reviews & comments
Outstanding ...
A real real story. Brilliant performances all around. If the film has a weakness, I think it didn't need the 'ascension' ... enough said. Nevertheless, a touching and compelling movie. Afterwards, I had to go an listen to the recordings I have of Alan Bennett reading Winnie the Pooh.
A Terrific Ride
A marvelous film full to the brim with top British acting talent led by the sublime Dame Maggie and Alex Jennings. It really is a simple story of the begrudging kindness between Bennett and Miss Shepherd but brought beautifully to life by a smart, side splitting script that never sways into the realms of sentimentality but tells it how it was - mostly....
Variety
pressLow 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.
Time Out
pressA wonderful Maggie Smith plays all this dead straight, poker-faced for maximum laughs.
The New York Times
pressIn 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.
The Guardian
pressSmith’s performance, honed from the previous stage and radio versions, is terrifically good.
Sydney Morning Herald
pressBennett 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.
Rolling Stone
pressIt's fun to watch Shepherd hate on bratty children, classical music and liberal pieties.
Los Angeles Times
pressA delicately written, boisterously performed movie about the difficult people who dare us to care about them.
Little White Lies
pressOn 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.
Hollywood Reporter
pressIt's Smith's eccentric oldster who is the film's driving force, and the 80-year-old actress doesn't disappoint.
FilmInk
pressIts droll sense of sentiment makes up significantly for its so-slight smugness. A minor gem.
Empire Magazine
pressUnshowy to a fault, Hytner delivers a fine, moving comedy of English manners...
Variety
pressLow 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.
Time Out
pressA wonderful Maggie Smith plays all this dead straight, poker-faced for maximum laughs.
The New York Times
pressIn 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.
The Guardian
pressSmith’s performance, honed from the previous stage and radio versions, is terrifically good.
Sydney Morning Herald
pressBennett 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.
Rolling Stone
pressIt's fun to watch Shepherd hate on bratty children, classical music and liberal pieties.
Los Angeles Times
pressA delicately written, boisterously performed movie about the difficult people who dare us to care about them.
Little White Lies
pressOn 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.
Hollywood Reporter
pressIt's Smith's eccentric oldster who is the film's driving force, and the 80-year-old actress doesn't disappoint.
FilmInk
pressIts droll sense of sentiment makes up significantly for its so-slight smugness. A minor gem.
Empire Magazine
pressUnshowy to a fault, Hytner delivers a fine, moving comedy of English manners...
Outstanding ...
A real real story. Brilliant performances all around. If the film has a weakness, I think it didn't need the 'ascension' ... enough said. Nevertheless, a touching and compelling movie. Afterwards, I had to go an listen to the recordings I have of Alan Bennett reading Winnie the Pooh.
A Terrific Ride
A marvelous film full to the brim with top British acting talent led by the sublime Dame Maggie and Alex Jennings. It really is a simple story of the begrudging kindness between Bennett and Miss Shepherd but brought beautifully to life by a smart, side splitting script that never sways into the realms of sentimentality but tells it how it was - mostly....
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