AFI Fest: Lady in the Van
Saturday, November 7, 2015 at 11:15PM Anne Marie here reporting from Hollywood & Highland.
Let's be honest: there's probably only one reason you (or anyone) is interested in The Lady in the Van. If you own a copy of The Best Exotic Marigold Hotel, if you kept watching Downton Abbey even after Julian Fellowes killed two main characters and the series lost focus, then I have good news for you: you will love The Lady in the Van. Dame Maggie Smith is in top form, and the movie is devoted to giving her a variety of small acting moments that pop up in awards show montages and internet gifsets. Even if the rest of Nicholas Hytner's movie is unrelentingly average, Dame Maggie Smith is a delight.
First, let's talk about Maggie. In the last 20 years, the Dame has made a career of playing colorful, curmudgeonly women, effectively destroying - along with her Dames in Arms Helen Mirren, Judi Dench, and Angela Lansbury - the idea that older actresses aren't interesting. (There's a question to be asked about why all of these successful, terribly interesting older actresses are British, but that's a tangent for another day.) As the titular homeless woman who parks in the driveway of a put-upon playwright (Alex Jennings) for 15 years, Maggie Smith continues this fine tradition. Alternately infuriating and empathetic, crazy and charismatic, disgusting and distinguished, Smith creates a character so bizarrely contradictory that you understand why the writer allowed himself to be inconvenienced for almost two decades beginning in the 1970s. Sitting next to Nathaniel and eurocheese, I don't know that I've seen a festival audience react as gleefully to a moment so small as when Dame Maggie Smith, clad in a nightdress and a smelly rain coat, cracked a small private smile while riding a duck on a merry go round.
The rest of the movie is about what you'd expect from a BBC drama - familiar character actors, comedy stemming from British polite timidity - with one exception. The playwright Alan Bennett (who adapted his own play for the screen) splits himself into two characters: the man living the events, and the writer observing them. At first, the conceit is fun, since it gives the observing ego a chance to make the snide remarks that polite British gentlemen just won't say. However, as with many movies that rely on narration, eventually the writer gets didactic, and begins informing the audience how to think and feel about his story. But what he refuses to comment on is more interesting. While he was busy belaboring the connection between his guilt over his ailing mother and the homeless woman he allows to sleep in his yard, I was more curious about his closeted sexuality in Margaret Thatcher's England.
Ultimately, as a showpiece for Dame Maggie Smith, The Lady in the Van delivers. As a BBC drama, it's a little more interesting than usual. Jim Broadbent, Dominic Cooper, and James Corden all make appearances, but are criminally underused. There's one reason to see The Lady in the Van. But it's a good reason in itself.
Grade: Maggie Smith A / Rest of the movie C+ Total = B
Oscar Chances: In a less competitive year, Dame Maggie Smith would be a shoe-in for a Best Actress nomination. As it is, she probably won't make the cut.
Reader Comments (13)
Aw, a name check. <3 Great meeting you guys in person! If we cross paths again, dinner's on me.
I really hope she does make it, I feel like this is her last big shot at any glory and she deserves to be neck in neck with Judi for nominations.
She's having a hip replacement next month and taking a wee break so I am here for anything she has to give and from the sounds of it, this is her moment! I know she's played a lot of stock characters and nailed the market on snobby aristocracy, but reading her extensive biography gave me so much more respect for her stage career and her versatility and talent that she has exhibited throughout her career.
But; whatever. I'm biased and even in my bias I'm begging the gods that Charlotte Rampling gets a nomination this year.
While best actress seems quite crowded, she really is a living legend and, unlike any other time, she's actually doing a bit of promotion: she did her first talkshow appearance in over 40 years(!) here in the UK the other day, as well as an interview for The New York Times... I think it could happen if Rampling or Tomlin lose some traction.
Ithink the veteran slot is omlin's,Fonda will be out there with her,plus I think she'll win the comedy globe too.
Morganisaqt -- it would be fun for Maggie to have one final nomination, yes. I think they should hold it until spring though and try for next year when it might be less competitive. I did like that this is not the same old same old with her... playing a crazy homeless woman is not what she usually does.
Mark -- agreed on both counts
eurocheese -- nice to meet'cha!
Never underestimate the appeal of Maggie Smith, especially when she is in top form as she seems to be with this film. I know it's a crowded field but I would love her to get a bit of attention and acknowledgment for her talent.
If she does any appearances like Graham Norton with say, Stephen Colbert or James Corden her popularity (which is always high) will take off.
I LOVE Maggie Smith and all those frickin dames.
I really hope she does make it, I feel like this is her last big shot at any glory and she deserves to be neck in neck with Judi for nominations.
Forget it. Dench has five Best Actress nominations and has yet to win the category. Smith has two and won the category and also won Supporting Actress. 2 out of 6 keeps Smith in the company of Jessica Lange, Cate Blanchett, Denzel Washington, and Michael Caine.
I love Maggie Smith to bits but she isn't exactly under-rewarded in her career. I'd rather a Rampling or Tomlin nom to happen
Maggie's won ALL THERE IS TO WIN in the world of Lead Acting Awards: Oscar, BAFTAs, Globe, Emmy, Tony.
We could bitch about The Lonely Passion of Judith Hearne brutal snub but overall hers is a wonderful career that's been recognized.
Haven't watched Room but since Brie Larson is not as Box Office as Carey Mulligan and Ronan, I'd say we give the Oscar to her this year.
Maggie Smith always seems to give the same mannered performance no matter what the film. She's a Ruth Gordon of the 2000s. Whether she's pretty wonderful or pretty annoying just depends on the context.
Charlotte Rampling is a real actress. She's not coasting on her lovable old lady status or her past triumphs. Could you imagine Maggie Smith in Swimming Pool or Life During Wartime? I haven't seen 45 Years yet (but I'm chomping at the bit), but even if Ms Rampling isn't as great as I'm hoping, it won't be because she put herself on automatic pilot.
Wouldn't it be a trip come nomination morning to hear Smith, Tomlin, Danner, AND Rampling (with Cate in the fifth spot). :)