Movie Review: The Lady in the Van

Biography/comedy/drama

Rated – M

Duration –1 hour 44 mins

Release – March 2016

Director –Nicholas Hytner

Writer - Alan Bennett

Cast –Maggie Smith, Alex Jennings, Jim broadbent
 
Mr Knight

I’ll start by proudly stating that I don’t mind a good Maggie Smith movie! Known to the younger crowd for her role in Harry Potter as Professor McGonagall, one of my personal favourites featuring her is a dark humoured murder mystery, Keeping Mum. So I had high hopes for this one coming into the cinema.

The Lady in the Van is the true story of a transient senior citizen, Miss Shepherd (Maggie Smith), who shifts her beat up van up and down Gloucester Street, Camden Town, in the UK choosing random spots sporadically to park and settle in to live. The whole street is accustomed to her antics and enjoy to gossip about which house she chooses to park in front of next.

She is bitter, hates music, snappy to the residents and as they soon learn by her yelling in their faces “I’M A BUSY WOMAN!” The newest resident to the street that quickly meets this mysterious hobo, is playwright Alan Bennett (Alex Jennings), who narrates the story and has a strange way of telling it through an imaginary version of himself. The imaginary form whom he considers the writer, whilst he considers himself as the living resident. He continues to debate with his imaginary self throughout the movie which after a while seems quite normal.

This true tale spans over twenty years with Miss Shephard sharing a strange bond with Mr Bennett resulting in her eventually parking and living in his driveway. The relationship they share is challenging and at times sweet, but I felt the movie could have been directed to be a little more fun.

The movie itself was full of little jokes here and there with Miss Shephard spitting out some hilarious lines, but I never got the fun music it needed to lift some moments and bring laughs instead of simple smiles. I wanted to be uplifted at times but instead many scenes fell flat, where I thought they would have had a lot of potential!

That’s not to say I didn’t enjoy it. It had its moments. The story had a good history bringing some closure to Miss Shephard’s character and how she got to where she was but I really wanted to enjoy it more and I simply couldn’t get there. A good one to take your mum, or gran to. Mrs Knight and I were the youngest in the cinema by 20 years! Enjoy. 



 

Mrs Knight

The only thing I knew about this film was that it’s a chalkie (old person) flick with Professor McGonagall, aka Maggie Smith. In hindsight, I suppose that is all you really need to know. It’s also worth noting that it’s based on true events, which usually gets me over the line with movies.

Set in London, the opening scene involves a car crash which introduces to the audience their first mystery. Followed by the second mystery, who is this quirky homeless lady set years later who lives in her van? The lady, is Maggie Smith’s character, Ms Shepherd who continuously parks herself outside various houses of the neighbourhood. She is a stubborn old lady, who is very rude to her neighbours despite their best effort to give her kindness.

Over time she ends up forming an unlikely friendship with playwright, Alan Bennet who is constantly battling his own issues and sorting the thoughts in his head. He is split between being a writer and being himself.

The movie had some LOL moments, with light-hearted comedy provided by Ms Shepherd. Such as her quirky characteristics of painting her van bright yellow and acting like it is perfectly reasonable to live out of a van outside someone else’s house. I found her character and little face that looks like she’s sucked on a lemon quite cute.

Despite being the youngest person in the cinema, I really wanted to enjoy the movie. As I do love a good chalkie flick with chalkie humour. I’m married to Mr Knight after all (dad jokes central). However, I found it quite boring and was far more interested in my popcorn. If you’re 30 years older than me you might enjoy it, or if you’re looking to take your parents to the movies. But for me, unfortunately this one will remain unmemorable and a bit of a nothing film for me.