The title of a movie has always fascinated me because someone had to think of a few words that reflect the content of the film. Five words were picked to encompass volumes of history over a 15-year period. The simple title is truly accurate and allows the viewer to get a glimpse of what is about to come. Yes, the movie is about a lady that lives in a van and what a story it is.
Maggie Smith plays the lady that somehow found herself living in a van in the London Borough of Camden. Maggie plays the part of a homeless woman to the point of perfection. With every nuance of her body language we truly believe she is a homeless person living in a van. The sets are very basic due to the subject matter, but Smith breaths live into each scene. Having played nobility on Downton Abbey for five years and then to go to the opposite end of the spectrum by playing a vagrant is why Maggie Smith is a star.
I must confess that the movie is not for everyone. The film starts out at a brutally slow pace and I am sure some viewers never made it fifteen minutes into the film. If you make it to the sixteen minute mark you will be rewarded. Characters are developed and the story unfolds at a natural progression. Secrets are revealed to keep the audience entertained and the journey begins. Fans of Maggie Smith will enjoy this light drama with a touch of comedy thrown in for good measure.
Kevin Lazzari, owner of Video Stop, is reviewing movies for the Fitzhugh. The Lady In The Van (2015) is available on DVD, Blu-ray and for digital streaming and download.
