Knowing little of Alan Bennett, but a big fan of Maggie Smith, I wanted to see this adaption of the play and book as soon as I saw the trailer.
Quintessentially British through and through, The Lady in the Van is a beautiful story of some true nature. When the transient Mrs Shepherd parks her van on the playwrights driveway after being threatened by the council, what follows is 15 years of cantankerous behaviour and a friendship of bizarre qualities
This needs to be an oscar nomination for both Maggie Smith and Alex Jennings as two Alan Bennetts. Both parts play off each other perfectly and I found myself laughing and smiling along with the unfolding story. Nothing much happens for the full running time, but the characters on screen are engaging. Even side characters such as the residents of the street who all become fond of Mrs Shepherd, despite her constant abuse, or the social worker assigned to helping her are all very entertaining
For someone who is unfamiliar with the stage play, book or pretty much anything Bennett, the Lady in the Van had little new to offer, the finale was obvious and the story in between tick all the same tropes. What this film had to offer though was character and charm, a charm that brings you along for the ride (or park as it may be) and entertains you throughout,
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