Avengers: Endgame
John Wick: Chapter 3 - Parabellum
How to Train Your Dragon: The Hidden World
Chernobyl
Log in with Facebook
OR
By creating an account, you agree to the Privacy Policy and the Terms and Policies, and to receive email from Rotten Tomatoes and Fandango.
Please enter your email address and we will email you a new password.
We want to hear what you have to say but need to verify your account. Just leave us a message here and we will work on getting you verified.
Please reference “Error Code 2121” when contacting customer service.
Led by a marvelous performance from Maggie Smith, Lady in the Van wrings poignant, often hilarious insight from its fact-based source material.
SUPER REVIEWER
All Critics (147) | Top Critics (41) | Fresh (130) | Rotten (17) | DVD (1)
She's not easy to love and the film is slow-going and a little laboured in its attempts to shape her idiosyncrasies into a plot, but the gradual revelation of the reasons for her decline give Smith plenty of opportunities to soften her grouchiness. Mar 4, 2016 | Rating: 3/5 | Full Review…
She's not easy to love and the film is slow-going and a little laboured in its attempts to shape her idiosyncrasies into a plot, but the gradual revelation of the reasons for her decline give Smith plenty of opportunities to soften her grouchiness.
Sandra Hall
Bennett offers Maggie Smith a chance to renovate her own recent persona with a woman who's heroically alive. Smith takes it with both hands, giving us more of the loneliness and despair of old age than the glib comedy. Mar 4, 2016 | Rating: 4/5 | Full Review…
Bennett offers Maggie Smith a chance to renovate her own recent persona with a woman who's heroically alive. Smith takes it with both hands, giving us more of the loneliness and despair of old age than the glib comedy.
Paul Byrnes
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. Feb 12, 2016 | Rating: B | Full Review…
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.
Tom Long
There's an elegiac, sentimental quality to this film adaptation, from the manipulative meet-cute of Alan and Miss Shepherd through their disputations. Feb 5, 2016 | Rating: 3/4 | Full Review…
There's an elegiac, sentimental quality to this film adaptation, from the manipulative meet-cute of Alan and Miss Shepherd through their disputations.
Nathalie Atkinson
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. Feb 4, 2016 | Rating: 3/4 | Full Review…
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.
Moira MacDonald
The joy of the film comes in watching Smith work her magic. Feb 4, 2016 | Rating: 3/4 | Full Review…
The joy of the film comes in watching Smith work her magic.
Linda Barnard
The Lady in the Van provides a pleasant ride, especially with the incomparable Maggie Smith at the wheel. May 7, 2019 | Rating: 4/5 | Full Review…
The Lady in the Van provides a pleasant ride, especially with the incomparable Maggie Smith at the wheel.
Cate Marquis
A film suited more to her fans and theatre buffs, it's hard to imagine there being any point to The Lady in the Van onscreen without Maggie Smith. Apr 18, 2019 | Rating: 3/5 | Full Review…
A film suited more to her fans and theatre buffs, it's hard to imagine there being any point to The Lady in the Van onscreen without Maggie Smith.
Tori Brazier
A large part of the charm and the appeal of the film is seeing how Smith has really honed and grown into the performance in the ensuing years since her first rendition. Apr 8, 2019 | Rating: 3/5 | Full Review…
A large part of the charm and the appeal of the film is seeing how Smith has really honed and grown into the performance in the ensuing years since her first rendition.
Edward Frost
Overall, this warm gem is energized by the captivating Smith that instills this beleaguered Brit bag lady with indescribable exuberance. Nov 8, 2018 | Rating: 3/4 | Full Review…
Overall, this warm gem is energized by the captivating Smith that instills this beleaguered Brit bag lady with indescribable exuberance.
Frank Ochieng
he Lady in the Van offers more fourth wall-breaking narrative devices than a Tarantino fever dream, but since we're never that invested in the characters or the story, it doesn't add up to anything but a self-satisfied distraction. Oct 22, 2018 | Rating: 2.5/5 | Full Review…
he Lady in the Van offers more fourth wall-breaking narrative devices than a Tarantino fever dream, but since we're never that invested in the characters or the story, it doesn't add up to anything but a self-satisfied distraction.
Daniel Barnes
"The Lady in the Van" stars Maggie Smith. That almost says it all. Aug 22, 2018 | Rating: 4/4 | Full Review…
"The Lady in the Van" stars Maggie Smith. That almost says it all.
Pamela Powell
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!
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 ...
The Lady in the Van is first and foremost a star vehicle (no pun intended) built around Maggie Smith's performance. She puts on the part like a comfortable old sweater. That describes this trifling slice of life to a T. It's cozy. The joy is watching thespians Maggie Smith and Alex Jennings in one amusing tête-à-tête after another. Their personalities clash and mesh at various points - she a grouchy curmudgeon, he a finicky chap that talks to himself. The discovery is what we learn about these two characters as the years pass. The drama is slight, charming and oh-so-British. fastfilmreviews.com
View All Quotes
View All