The Lady In The Van (2015)
TOMATOMETER
AUDIENCE SCORE
Critic Consensus: Led by a marvelous performance from Maggie Smith, Lady in the Van wrings poignant, often hilarious insight from its fact-based source material.
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Movie Info
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Cast
as Miss Shepherd
as Alan Bennett
as Alan Bennett
as Street Trader
as Mrs. Vaughn Williams
as Theatre Actor
as Underwood
as Rufus
as Doctor
as Donald
as Jehovah's Witness
as Pauline
as Mam
as Fiona Perry
as Giles Perry
as Leo Fairchild
as Housekeeper At Convent
as Miss Briscoe - Social Worker
as Lois - Social Worker
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Critic Reviews for The Lady In The Van
All Critics (144) | Top Critics (35) | Fresh (127) | Rotten (17) | DVD (1)
Jennings' portrayal isn't as flashy as Smith's - the things she can do with just a glance - but the balance they achieve is absolutely glorious.
There's an elegiac, sentimental quality to this film adaptation, from the manipulative meet-cute of Alan and Miss Shepherd through their disputations.
You leave "Lady in the Van" entertained but troubled; it's an agreeably but oddly off-balance film, juggling and nearly dropping the star turn at its center.
The joy of the film comes in watching Smith work her magic.
Smith's performance as the bizarre old lady, who manages to get help by rejecting it, is the reason to watch this film.
"The Lady in the Van" doesn't pretend to be anything more than a pleasant diversion. And on that level, it succeeds.
Audience Reviews for The Lady In The Van
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.
Super Reviewer
An elegant and amusing drama. This sweet movie is slow but the wonderfully talented Smith carries it through to the end!
Super Reviewer
Is it possible that all the pieces of a work come together beautifully and still the work is "meh?" Based on a true story of a homeless woman who parked and lived in a guy's driveway for 15 years, everything is well done here. It's inventive as all get out. And yet ... nothing explodes in your face. Is that even a criticism? I loved it, but ...
Super Reviewer
The Lady In The Van Quotes
| Housekeeper At Convent: | Who are you to come here asking whether the Bishop likes meringues? |
| Miss Shepherd: | I'm studying incognito in Paris. |
| Miss Shepherd: | You're not Saint John are you? |
| Miss Shepherd: | I'm lady on a van! |