The Lady in the Van

Name: The Lady in the Van
Genre: Biography, Drama, Comedy
Released: December 4, 2015
Duration: 104 min
Rating: 70
Cast: Alex Jennings, Maggie Smith

2015

METASCORE

Generally favorable reviews based on 30 Critic Reviews

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USER SCORE

Generally favorable reviews based on 56 Ratings

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6.8

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6.8	User Score Generally favorable reviews based on 56 Ratings

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Movie Details & Credits

Sony Pictures Classics | Release Date: December 4, 2015 | PG-13

Starring: Alex Jennings, Maggie Smith

Summary: Playwright Alan Bennett forms an unexpected bond with Miss Shepherd (Maggie Smith), a woman of uncertain origins who “temporarily” parked her van in Bennett’s London driveway and proceeded to live there for 15 years. [Sony Pictures Classics]

Director: Nicholas Hytner

Genre(s): Biography, Drama, Comedy

Rating: PG-13

Runtime: 104 min

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Critic Reviews

Peter Rainer

Dec 4, 2015

The remarkable thing about Smith in The Lady in the Van is that, even though the role is no longer fresh for her, the performance certainly is. She gives it everything she’s got because, you feel, she wants to honor this character. She wants Miss Shepherd to live on. Read full review

The Playlist Kimber Myers

Jan 14, 2016

This isn’t an overly sentimental story; those expecting the emotional swells of other British fare like “Pride” and “Kinky Boots” should adjust their expectations. The Lady in the Van is a more buttoned-up narrative, but it’s no less engaging thanks to Smith, Jennings, and Bennett’s script. Read full review

Joe Morgenstern

Dec 3, 2015

This English film, directed by Nicholas Hytner, is also wonderfully funny, terribly touching and a vehicle — with comically dilapidated vehicles — for the boundless gifts of Maggie Smith. Read full review

Ann Hornaday

Jan 21, 2016

There’s no denying the humor and pathos of The Lady in the Van, just as there’s no use fending off the force of nature that is Smith. Read full review

Richard Roeper

Jan 21, 2016

The Lady in the Van is about a talented young writer still wrestling with how to draw upon his own experiences without exploiting others — and it’s about the boundless talents of Maggie Smith, sometimes chewing up the screen, sometimes saying volumes simply by sitting very, very still, with a perfectly perfect expression on her face. Read full review

Frank Scheck

Sep 19, 2015

It's Smith's eccentric oldster who is the film's driving force, and the 80-year-old actress doesn't disappoint. Read full review

Elise Nakhnikian

Dec 1, 2015

The film's annoying glibness is neatly summarized by the line: "In life, going downhill is an uphill job." Read full review

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User Reviews

NerdConsultant

Dec 15, 2015

the Lady In the Van is some of Alan Bennett's best writing accompanied by excellent performances from Maggie Smith and Alex Jennings. the story is both uplifting and insightful and it had some moments that really made me laugh. i also loved the authenticity of shooting the film in the actualthe Lady In the Van is some of Alan Bennett's best writing accompanied by excellent performances from Maggie Smith and Alex Jennings. the story is both uplifting and insightful and it had some moments that really made me laugh. i also loved the authenticity of shooting the film in the actual location the true story took place in. I loved it and would highly recommend it… Expand

3 of 4 users found this helpful31

avr50

Jul 5, 2017

Maggie Smith and her charm and wonderful performance are the reasons to see this funny film. She takes the movie to a new level and makes it as grand as it is

0 of 0 users found this helpful00

Pablo6120

Sep 29, 2016

“The Lady in the Van”
Writer Alan Bennet (who also starred in) tells the true story of Miss Mary Shepherd, an eccentric homeless woman, who wandered London in her run-down van for years. She eventually cons Alan Jennings (Bennett) into allowing her to park the van in his driveway“The Lady in the Van”
Writer Alan Bennet (who also starred in) tells the true story of Miss Mary Shepherd, an eccentric homeless woman, who wandered London in her run-down van for years. She eventually cons Alan Jennings (Bennett) into allowing her to park the van in his driveway “temporarily”, to avoid disagreements with local residents and the constable. She ends up staying for fifteen years and develops a strained relationship with him.
In this veddy, veddy British comedy-drama, Miss Mary (Maggie Smith) is eventually revealed to us as the former Margaret Fairchild, a gifted young classical pianist, who gives up her promising musical career for entry into the convent. After being institutionalized by her brother, Mary/Margaret escapes, only to be involved in a vehicle accident in which a young motorcyclist is killed. She wrongly blames herself for the man’s death.
Director Nicholas Hytner (“The Crucible”, “The Madness of King George”) provides a critically acclaimed film, although its pacing may seem to lag to some of its viewers. Dame Maggie Smith gives a wonderful performance, furthering her status as one of our most respected and beloved actresses.
If you are in the mood for a quirky, quietly determined film, check The Lady in the Van out.… Expand

0 of 0 users found this helpful00

EpicLadySponge

Apr 29, 2016

The Lady in the Van is a perfect example of how to end 2015 with an limited released movie. This will be quite amazing to see this Lady in the Van making us watch it again a second time.

0 of 0 users found this helpful00

steveyme

Aug 14, 2019

The acting is great, but there is something slightly irritating about its overly sentimental depictment of London and inhabitants. Worth a watch though.

0 of 0 users found this helpful00

Brent_Marchant

Jan 23, 2016

Were it not for the performance of Maggie Smith and a resurgent second hour, this film would have been otherwise forgettable. The picture's excessively tedious opening 45 minutes, coupled with an overwritten, gimmicky narrative and an unfocused script that overemphasizes certain elementsWere it not for the performance of Maggie Smith and a resurgent second hour, this film would have been otherwise forgettable. The picture's excessively tedious opening 45 minutes, coupled with an overwritten, gimmicky narrative and an unfocused script that overemphasizes certain elements while slighting others, make it painful to endure, trying the patience of even the most stalwart moviegoer. Wait for this one to come to cable.… Expand

1 of 3 users found this helpful12

GardenParty

Mar 20, 2016

As a lifelong Anglican Bennett should be ashamed to write such nasty claptrap about an elderly Catholic women; he makes Catholicism a center concern of his writing, and he roundly, and unfairly, criticizes it. If it had been a white person writing about a black character, there would haveAs a lifelong Anglican Bennett should be ashamed to write such nasty claptrap about an elderly Catholic women; he makes Catholicism a center concern of his writing, and he roundly, and unfairly, criticizes it. If it had been a white person writing about a black character, there would have been a protest. But, since it is British, and it is only a Catholic, it jolly well funny. What is so sad is that the premise and the writing are good, the religiious bigotry is aweful. I am no great defender of The Church, but with the history of the Church of England, the writer should have known better. He is just another London bigot.… Expand

0 of 2 users found this helpful02

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