You only have a couple of weeks left to watch a wholesome Maggie Smith film inspired by a true story before it’s removed from a streaming platform. Directed by Nicholas Hytner, Lady in the Van stars the Downton Abbey icon as Mary Shepherd, the titular eccentric woman who lived in a Bedford van in North London.
Released in 2015, the film is written by Alan Bennett from his memoir and stage play of the same name, in turn inspired by his interactions with the real Shepherd once he moved to Camden in the 1970s. Smith reprises the role of Mary, who she previously portrayed in the 1999 stage play and the 2009 radio adaptation.
The stacked cast for the film also includes Alex Jennings as Bennett, as well as Endeavour’s Roger Allam as Rufus, Jim Broadbent as Underwood, Frances de la Tour as poet Ursula Vaughan Williams, Deborah Findlay as Pauline, and The Crown star Claire Foy as Lois.
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The Lady in the Van is currently available on BBC iPlayer, though not for long. The film is due to be removed from the platform in 15 days, so better hurry if you’d like to catch up on it.
Premiering at Toronto International Film Festival in 2015, the dramedy received positive reviews. Smith’s movie is currently Certified Fresh on Rotten Tomatoes with a critic rating of 89% from 151 reviews.
The central performance received high praise, with the Washington Post describing Smith as a “force of nature” who’s “sensitive and formidable, self-deprecating and brave” and “elevates” the role.
A similar take came from Rolling Stone, whose review noted: “Maggie Smith can do anything – even save this rickety vehicle from a case of the terminal cutes. Almost.”
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“For anyone who adores Smith — which is pretty much everyone these days — they will have quite a satisfying ride with this crusty grand dame behind the wheel,” added RogerEbert.com.
Film fans were equally captivated by the feel-good story, with one IMDb reviewer calling Lady in the Van a “perfect little movie” that’s “highly engaging”.
The Lady in the Van is streaming on BBC iPlayer.
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Stefania is a freelance writer specialising in TV and movies. After graduating from City University, London, she covered LGBTQ+ news and pursued a career in entertainment journalism, with her work appearing in outlets including Little White Lies, The Skinny, Radio Times and Digital Spy.
Her beats are horror films and period dramas, especially if fronted by queer women. She can argue why Scream is the best slasher in four languages (and a half).