The Lady in the Van Blu-ray Review
THE SET-UP
Playwright Alan Bennett (Alex Jennings) finds his
life forever changed when a homeless woman (Maggie Smith) parks her
van in his driveway and stays there for the next 15 years. Based on a
mostly true story.
life forever changed when a homeless woman (Maggie Smith) parks her
van in his driveway and stays there for the next 15 years. Based on a
mostly true story.
Directed by Nicholas Hytner.
THE DELIVERY
Based on the acclaimed book and stage
play by Alan Bennett, The Lady in the Van is more than your average
British comedy. There are expected British characters and British
sensibilities at play to be sure, but beneath the themes of death and
regret is a surprisingly funny, touching, and poignant story that
sneaks up on you.
play by Alan Bennett, The Lady in the Van is more than your average
British comedy. There are expected British characters and British
sensibilities at play to be sure, but beneath the themes of death and
regret is a surprisingly funny, touching, and poignant story that
sneaks up on you.
It might be foolish to characterize any
film directed by Nicholas Hytner (The History Boys, The Madness of
King George) and starring Maggie Smith (Downton Abbey) as
surprisingly good, but one doesn’t expect a comedy about a crazy
homeless woman to be all that impactful. However, the screenplay
(adapted from the book and play by Bennett himself) is both
delightful and emotional, and the deliberate direction by Hytner
unfolds the mystery of who Miss Shepherd (Smith) actually is at the
right pace.
film directed by Nicholas Hytner (The History Boys, The Madness of
King George) and starring Maggie Smith (Downton Abbey) as
surprisingly good, but one doesn’t expect a comedy about a crazy
homeless woman to be all that impactful. However, the screenplay
(adapted from the book and play by Bennett himself) is both
delightful and emotional, and the deliberate direction by Hytner
unfolds the mystery of who Miss Shepherd (Smith) actually is at the
right pace.
The film explores Bennett’s real-life
account of his experiences with Miss Shepherd, a homeless woman with
mental health issues and a dark secret, who decided to park her van
in his driveway in London in the 1970s and proceeded to live there
for 15 years.
account of his experiences with Miss Shepherd, a homeless woman with
mental health issues and a dark secret, who decided to park her van
in his driveway in London in the 1970s and proceeded to live there
for 15 years.
The film, above all else, is a showcase
for Maggie Smith, who delivers an inspired performance that brings
some relatability to what should be an unlikable character. She
brings an undeniable quirky beauty to the film, and the lesson the
film provides about the dignity of humanity is delivered in her
emotionally affecting performance that earned her a Golden Globe
nomination for Best Actress.
for Maggie Smith, who delivers an inspired performance that brings
some relatability to what should be an unlikable character. She
brings an undeniable quirky beauty to the film, and the lesson the
film provides about the dignity of humanity is delivered in her
emotionally affecting performance that earned her a Golden Globe
nomination for Best Actress.
Alex Jennings is sublime as Alan
Bennett, whose personal introspection (presented as “twin” Alan
Bennetts representing his writer side and social side) and
observations of Miss Shepard provide both the humor and the drama
that drives the film. Indeed, Jennings’ brilliant delivery of
Bennett’s signature narration is full of the dry wit that brings
most of the film’s laughs, as well as its more poignant moments.
Bennett, whose personal introspection (presented as “twin” Alan
Bennetts representing his writer side and social side) and
observations of Miss Shepard provide both the humor and the drama
that drives the film. Indeed, Jennings’ brilliant delivery of
Bennett’s signature narration is full of the dry wit that brings
most of the film’s laughs, as well as its more poignant moments.
Director Hytner brings a loving, deft
touch to the characters, providing an authenticity that is rarely
seen in films today. Hytner himself is a long-time collaborator with
Bennett, directing his works on both stage and screen, so he knows
how to bring his work and his characters to life. His vision makes
The Lady in the Van an entertaining, life-affirming viewing
experience.
touch to the characters, providing an authenticity that is rarely
seen in films today. Hytner himself is a long-time collaborator with
Bennett, directing his works on both stage and screen, so he knows
how to bring his work and his characters to life. His vision makes
The Lady in the Van an entertaining, life-affirming viewing
experience.
VIDEO AND AUDIO
Sony provides a fantastic video
transfer for The Lady in the Van, with a sharp image free of film
grain. The pattern on Alan Bennett’s tweed jacket would give lesser
video transfers fits, but there is no aliasing present at any point
here. It’s a top-notch video presentation. The audio is a DTS-HD
Master Audio mix, with excellent clarity throughout the channels and
no recognizable distortion. The understated score gets a robust
presentation from the soundtrack.
transfer for The Lady in the Van, with a sharp image free of film
grain. The pattern on Alan Bennett’s tweed jacket would give lesser
video transfers fits, but there is no aliasing present at any point
here. It’s a top-notch video presentation. The audio is a DTS-HD
Master Audio mix, with excellent clarity throughout the channels and
no recognizable distortion. The understated score gets a robust
presentation from the soundtrack.
SPECIAL FEATURES
Although The Lady in the Van may not be
considered a tentpole home video release, Sony did well to include
some solid extras on the disc, including a “making of”
featurette, although most do not last very long. My only other
complaint is that a photo of the real Miss Shepherd is never shown in
any of the extras. It would have been a nice touch, especially since
we do get to see the real-life Alan Bennett.
considered a tentpole home video release, Sony did well to include
some solid extras on the disc, including a “making of”
featurette, although most do not last very long. My only other
complaint is that a photo of the real Miss Shepherd is never shown in
any of the extras. It would have been a nice touch, especially since
we do get to see the real-life Alan Bennett.
“Playing the Lady: Maggie Smith as
Miss Shepherd” featurette. Director Nicholas Hytner and actor Alex
Jennings discuss Maggie Smith’s wonderful performance, and Smith
herself describes how she approached injecting some sympathy into
such a disagreeable character. Running time: 6:22.
Miss Shepherd” featurette. Director Nicholas Hytner and actor Alex
Jennings discuss Maggie Smith’s wonderful performance, and Smith
herself describes how she approached injecting some sympathy into
such a disagreeable character. Running time: 6:22.
“The Making of The Lady in the Van”
featurette. Director Nicholas Hytner, actors Alex Jennings and Maggie
Smith, and the real-life Alan Bennett all discuss the making of the
film. A number of interesting tidbits are given, including the
featuring of actors (including James Corden and Dominic Cooper) from
the film The History Boys, another collaboration of Hytner and
Bennett. Viewers might be surprised to learn that the movie was
filmed at the actual house where Bennett and Miss Shepherd lived in
London. Running time 13:42
featurette. Director Nicholas Hytner, actors Alex Jennings and Maggie
Smith, and the real-life Alan Bennett all discuss the making of the
film. A number of interesting tidbits are given, including the
featuring of actors (including James Corden and Dominic Cooper) from
the film The History Boys, another collaboration of Hytner and
Bennett. Viewers might be surprised to learn that the movie was
filmed at the actual house where Bennett and Miss Shepherd lived in
London. Running time 13:42
The Visual Effects” featurette. The
visual effects (both subtle and blatant) in the film are discussed,
including the elaborate final scene of the film. Running time: 6:50
visual effects (both subtle and blatant) in the film are discussed,
including the elaborate final scene of the film. Running time: 6:50
Deleted Scenes. Scenes include “You
Could Get a Tent,” “I’m Preparing My Manifesto,” and “She
Has a Low, Quiet Voice.” The deleted scenes provide some more
character development, but since they aren’t essential to the film,
viewers can see why they were dropped. Running time: 4:34.
Could Get a Tent,” “I’m Preparing My Manifesto,” and “She
Has a Low, Quiet Voice.” The deleted scenes provide some more
character development, but since they aren’t essential to the film,
viewers can see why they were dropped. Running time: 4:34.
Theatrical Trailer. Running time: 1:45.
Audio Commentary. Director Nicholas
Hytner delivers an insightful and interesting commentary, discussing
Smith and Jennings and their work, as well as more details on the
real story the movie is based on. Hytner himself has a direct,
personal connection to the story, of sorts; he collaborated with
Bennett back when Miss Shepherd lived in his driveway, and as a
resident in the same neighborhood, often saw her and the signature
yellow van she lived in.
Hytner delivers an insightful and interesting commentary, discussing
Smith and Jennings and their work, as well as more details on the
real story the movie is based on. Hytner himself has a direct,
personal connection to the story, of sorts; he collaborated with
Bennett back when Miss Shepherd lived in his driveway, and as a
resident in the same neighborhood, often saw her and the signature
yellow van she lived in.
THE BOTTOM LINE: The Lady in the Van is
a wonderful showcase for Maggie Smith
a wonderful showcase for Maggie Smith
The Lady in the Van is a charming,
quirky comedy that showcases a brilliant performance by Maggie Smith.
A deft touch by director Hytner brings these characters to life with
an authenticity that is rare in cinema. It is well worth a watch.
quirky comedy that showcases a brilliant performance by Maggie Smith.
A deft touch by director Hytner brings these characters to life with
an authenticity that is rare in cinema. It is well worth a watch.
BLU-RAY SPECS
Release Date: April 19, 2016
Running Time: 104 minutes
Rating: PG-13
Aspect Ratio: 1.85:1
Audio: English, French and Portuguese
DTS-HD MA; Spanish and Thai 5.1 Dolby Digital; English Audio
Description 2.0
DTS-HD MA; Spanish and Thai 5.1 Dolby Digital; English Audio
Description 2.0
Subtitles: English, English for the
Deaf and Hard of Hearing, Chinese, French, Indonesian/Bahasa, Korean,
Portuguese, Spanish, Thai
Deaf and Hard of Hearing, Chinese, French, Indonesian/Bahasa, Korean,
Portuguese, Spanish, Thai
Special Features: “Playing the Lady:
Maggie Smith as Miss Shepherd” featurette; “The Making of The
Lady in the Van” featurette; “The Visual Effects” featurette;
Three deleted scenes; Theatrical trailer
Maggie Smith as Miss Shepherd” featurette; “The Making of The
Lady in the Van” featurette; “The Visual Effects” featurette;
Three deleted scenes; Theatrical trailer
Audio Commentary: With director
Nicholas Hytner
Nicholas Hytner
Label: Sony Pictures Home Entertainment
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