Film No. 23 (2016) The Lady in the Van April 5th.

Film No. 23 (2016) April 5th.  3.20 PM DENDY Quay Cinemas Sydney. 

"Good, then you can give me a push". (Miss Shepherd's first words to her soon to be new neighbour, Alan Bennett).

The Lady in the Van is not the light, offbeat comedy depicted in the trailers which played for months in Australian cinemas leading up to it's recent release. Maggie Smith as the cantankerous old biddy Miss Shepherd is brilliant with her sharp tongue and brilliant timing but the film has many more layers. English playwright Alan Bennett has written something very personal in his account of this very strange event which occurred in his life.

Alex Jennings plays Bennett to perfection (Alan Bennett should know) as we learn of a unique meeting between a couple of lonely eccentrics. Smith brings the lady to screen after playing her in the late nineties on stage in London's West End as part of numerous sell out seasons of Bennett's play. In real life Miss Shepherd spent 15 years living a vagrant's life out of her van in Bennett's driveway. Bennett, as he saw it, played two roles during those years. 

Firstly, as a professional he seized the opportunity to observe and thus write. Secondly he needed to be the compassionate neighbour who legitimately cared for the needs he knew only he could provide to Miss Shepherd. Director Hytner (The History Boys) and Bennett team up to reproduce the chemistry they created with the stage play. The relationship between Bennett and Miss Shepherd has it's moments but it is less than riveting. The way their story is told gives the film its "legs".

Well, that and the performance of Maggie Smith. Smith works her craft so wonderfully in this story she has made her own. The production of this film depended on her availability. One day Ms Smith will not be with us, The Lady In The Van is a wonderful opportunity to appreciate an actor who remains at the top of her game, a game she has dominated since her debut on BBC television 60 years ago. 9GUMS.