The Lady in the Van (2015)

"The Lady in the Van" stars Maggie Smith, Alex Jennings, Roger Allam, and Jim Broadbent. Released in the United Kingdom on November 13, 2015, the film is based on a true story about the relationship between Alan Bennett and Miss Mary Shepherd, who lives in her van on Bennett's driveway for 15 years.

The film is directed by Nicholas Hytner, who also directed films such as The Crucible, Center Stage, and The History Boys. While it's not considered an Oscar contender, it did receive a Golden Globe nomination for Smith's performance as Shepherd. Since I'm going to be busy reviewing the new releases and watching the Oscars this weekend, I thought I would give this unique film a watch and, to no surprise, it was actually quite good.

Pros:
The performances were remarkable. Maggie Smith was wonderful as Miss Shepherd.

Some of the comedic moments were spot on without being forced.

The screenplay was witty and charming.

Solid direction.

Cons:
A couple of scenes felt a bit slow.
​
Final thoughts: It does have its slow moments, but "The Lady in the Van" makes up for it with Smith's lovable performance and its charming, yet sometimes bizarre, storytelling. If you're looking for a film that doesn't involve any violence, superheroes, or demonic creatures that kill people, I would say give this one a shot.

B