EW: Some 15 years after starring in the West End play of the same name, Maggie Smith returns to her role as the titular Lady in the Van, playing a real-life homeless woman known as Miss Shepherd, who parked the van she slept in on writer Alan Bennett’s street. Bennett, who’s played in the film version by Alex Jennings, offered to let Miss Shepherd move her van onto his driveway for a few weeks back in the early ‘70s. She ended up staying for 15 years.
Neil at Skewed and Reviewed really enjoyed the film as well as the acting as he said that it showed that everyone has a story to tell.
A touching story that's both convincing and sweet, with a real emphasis on wit and heart over simple narrative.
Full review by Carlos Menjivar on Popzara Press
The Wrap
Alan Bennett‘s tale of a homeless woman who lived in his driveway for 15 years is too much about him, and not enough about her.
