It is the people with whom we come in direct contact that most strongly influence us, often in ways we cannot control, or even understand.  Such is the case illustrated by the British film The Lady in the Van.  Residents along a pretty Camden street are alarmed when elderly homeless vagrant Miss Shepherd (Maggie Smith) parks her van, but they cannot scare her away.  Eventually the narrator, writer Alan Bennett (Alex Jennings), allows her to park her hideously painted vehicle in his driveway.  Fifteen years later she is still there, and Bennett is still hoping she’ll find another nesting spot.

Nicholas Hytner’s film, written by Bennett — who turned this odd episode of his life into a book and then a play (featuring none other than Maggie Smith!) before adapting it into this movie — explores how this grumpy, irascible old woman with terrible hygiene actually influenced Bennett for the better.  It’s a story all about human nature, beginning with Bennett himself, who is depicted as two people, or, rather, two halves of one person: the half who writes down everything for possible exploitation, and the one who lives life.  The split is an interesting conceit, at first confusing, then distracting, before settling into an odd complacency.  Miss Shepherd is mostly one-dimensional because we (and Bennett) are not privy to her past, which is hinted at in brief flashbacks and clues she inadvertently gives about herself.  And the power of the story lies in its slowly-increasing sadness as we gradually learn that this garrulous old woman was once much more than she has become.

Bennett’s script is full of humanity, relating his own evolution from timid writer to semi-active neighbor, as well as how the various residents of that Camden street reluctantly watch over their unwanted guest.  Gradually enough of her mystery is revealed to provide a satisfactory closing (Bennett only learned much of her past much later) and the movie climaxes with an ascension (literally!).  This is a quiet, introspective, beautifully acted, small-scale story but one that has a fair amount to say.  It’s a good little movie I can recommend to everyone.  ☆ ☆ ☆.  6 March 2016.