Review of The Lady in the Van (2015) by Paige G — 28 Dec 2016
The Lady In The Van tells the mostly true story of a dotty old lady. A lady who resides in a camper van who somehow ends up on playright Alan Bennett's driveway for 15 years!
No I am not making up the plot of a Carry On film.
1970s Camden in London. In a street full of champagne Socialists the middle class residents put up with an elderly lady moving up and down the street parking outside various houses. On one hand feeling guilty for her plight but secretly not wanting her outside their house. Typical NIMBYs (Not In My Backyard).
It's not a backyard but the empty, spacious driveway of resident playright Alan Bennett that the Lady In The Van ends up. Bennett developing a strange perhaps unwitting understanding of her strange habits even defying the hopeless social worker from Camden Borough Council!
A split personality Bennett is seen behind closed doors as he talks to his altar ego about the understanding. Sympathetic and nice Bennett against practical yet truthful Bennett.
We find out the true history of the dotty old lady who was 'normal' once.
Maggie Smith is excellent as Mary or is it Margaret Shepherd.
All in all a very entertaining British production.
This review of The Lady in the Van (2015) was written by Paige G on 28 Dec 2016.
The Lady in the Van has generally received positive reviews.
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