Film discussion: The Lady in the Van

March 7, 2016
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But there’s a kind of irony when an actor who has worked constantly on stage, film, and television, has over 50 movies to her credit (including two that earned her Academy Awards) plus a Tony Award and a raft of other honors, really becomes a household name only in her 70s from playing Minerva McGonagall in the Harry Potter movies and Violet Crawley, Dowager Countess of Grantham on Downton Abbey.

As someone who has long doted on Dame Maggie, I’m pleased, of course. Anyone who’s still commanding the screen (large or small) into her 80s is a lovely role model.

This week, we have a chance to see what Maggie does best, which is to create vivid, extraordinary characters and make it look easy. That’s in The Lady in the Van, the movie now playing at The Music Hall, which is a movie, based on a play, based on real life.

There really was a homeless lady of cantankerous disposition who lived in a van at the bottom of playwright Alan Bennett’s driveway for 15 years. And everything that the movie says about her is pretty much true, including her prickly personality.

The Lady in the Van gives us a chance to see Dame Maggie recreate the role she played in the stage production. And critics say that she’s the best thing about the movie. (That’s no surprise to me, as she’s usually the best thing in any movie she’s in!)

This is a comedy-drama, which is pretty easy to figure out. The drama is a given since it’s about a homeless person, and the comedy comes courtesy of Alan Bennett, a playwright who’s hugely talented and hilariously neurotic himself.

So, what I say is this: Come to The Music Hall to see Maggie Smith. With Downton Abbey now completed, it’s your best chance to watch her weave her imperious magic again. (Yes, I know that Downton is just poised to begin its decade of reruns, but you have to work with me here.)

The film kicks off in The Historic Theater at 7:00 and the discussion will follow immediately. Superlatives will be flung, I imagine.

For the rest of March, our film fare is every bit as nourishing. We will be discussion Son of Saul on March 22 (Historic Theater) and Janis: Little Girl Blue on March 29 (in The Music Hall Loft). Each should be remarkable.

I hope to see you there.