The Lady in the Van

2015, Drama/Comedy, 1h 44m

151 Reviews 10,000+ Ratings

What to know

critics consensus

Led by a marvelous performance from Maggie Smith, Lady in the Van wrings poignant, often hilarious insight from its fact-based source material. Read critic reviews

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Movie Info

In 1973 London, playwright Alan Bennett (Alex Jennings) develops an unlikely friendship with Miss Shepherd (Maggie Smith), a homeless woman who lives in a van in his driveway for the next 15 years.
  • Rating:
    PG-13 (A Brief Unsettling Image)
  • Genre:
    Drama, Comedy, Biography
  • Original Language:
    English (United Kingdom)
  • Director:
    Nicholas Hytner
  • Producer:
    Nicholas Hytner, Damian Jones, Kevin Loader
  • Writer:
    Alan Bennett
  • Release Date (Theaters):
     wide
  • Release Date (Streaming):
  • Box Office (Gross USA):
    $10.0M
  • Runtime:
  • Distributor:
    Sony Pictures Classics
  • Sound Mix:
    Dolby Digital

Cast & Crew

Maggie Smith
Miss Shepherd
Alex Jennings
Alan Bennett
Roger Allam
Rufus
Deborah Findlay
Pauline
Frances de la Tour
Ursula Vaughan Williams
Gwen Taylor
Mam
Jim Broadbent
Underwood
David Calder
Mr. Fairchild
James Corden
Street Trader
Dominic Cooper
Theatre Actor
Russell Tovey
Man With Earring
Samuel Barnett
Donald
Geoffrey Streatfield
Attractive Man
Clare Hammond
Young Miss Shephard
Samuel Anderson
Jehovah's Witness
Nicholas Hytner
Director
Alan Bennett
Screenwriter
Nicholas Hytner
Producer
Damian Jones
Producer
Kevin Loader
Producer
Christine Langan
Executive Producer
Ed Wethered
Executive Producer
Miles Ketley
Executive Producer
Charles Moore
Executive Producer
Andrew Dunn
Cinematography
Tariq Anwar
Film Editing
George Fenton
Original Music
John Beard
Production Design
Tim Blake
Art Director
Niamh Coulter
Set Decoration
Natalie Ward
Costume Design
Toby Whale
Casting
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Critic Reviews for The Lady in the Van

All Critics (151) | Top Critics (56) | Fresh (134) | Rotten (17)
Full Review… Roxana Hadadi Chesapeake Family Magazine Full Review… Sandra Hall Sydney Morning Herald Full Review… Paul Byrnes Sydney Morning Herald Full Review… David Stratton The Australian Full Review… Tom Long Detroit News Full Review… Steve Davis Austin Chronicle Full Review… Hosea Rupprecht Pauline Center for Media Studies Full Review… Richard Crouse Richard Crouse Full Review… Debbie Lynn Elias Behind The Lens Full Review… Alexa Dalby Dog and Wolf Full Review… Cate Marquis We Are Movie Geeks Full Review… Tori Brazier One Room With A View
View All Critic Reviews (151)

Audience Reviews for The Lady in the Van

  • Jun 07, 2016
    http://cinephilecrocodile.blogspot.co.uk/2016/06/the-lady-in-van-dir-nicholas-hytner.html
    Anthony L Super Reviewer
  • Jun 06, 2016
    Lady In The Van is the true story of a woman who lives on a man's driveway for 15 years. Sounds boring? Quite the opposite! This is an entertaining sweet film that actually has some funny moments as well some sadder times. Maggie Smith delivers yet another fantastic performance, let's face it she can do no wrong! I did however find that the majority of the film was rather forgettable and felt like the film was just abit too sweet for my taste. The script was decent though and that prevented the film from being a disaster.
    Luke A Super Reviewer
  • May 02, 2016
    The biggest problem with this witless, excruciating movie is that it feels almost impossible to have any sympathy for such an odious old lady (is she supposed to be adorable in her annoying eccentricity? I can't tell), and I couldn't wait to see her die so it would be finally over.
    Carlos M Super Reviewer
  • Apr 14, 2016
    An elegant and amusing drama. This sweet movie is slow but the wonderfully talented Smith carries it through to the end!
    Film C Super Reviewer
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