The film follows the life of Miss Shepherd (Maggie Smith), an elderly woman that lives in a run-down van. Alan Bennett decides that, instead of making her park on the road and live there, he would let her park on his driveway until she got back on her feet. He intended for her to stay there for around three weeks, however somehow she managed to stay there for fifteen years.
Miss Shepherd is shown to be a very eccentric woman. She claims to be studying music, she thinks that Alan is a disciple of Jesus when she first meets him, enjoys being pushed down hills and painting (she won a prize for painting. It’s a shame she got some Madeira cake in the paint). She can often be rude and selfish, but the whole situation seems utterly hilarious.
Based on a true story, The Lady in the Van looks like a thoroughly enjoyable and funny film, will a stellar cast and a brilliant plot. Bennett is an amazing writer and dame Maggie Smith is a wonderful actress. Surely this film can’t go wrong.
The Lady in the Van is set for release in UK cinemas on the 13th of November.