Reviews of movies and TV focused on women
The Crown season 2 is as lush and grand as season 1. It provides a view of the world in the late 1950s from inside the vulnerable but unbreakable British monarchy. Claire Foy as Queen Elizabeth II and the rest of the pitch perfect cast continue the story behind the facade. Peter Morgan, creator of the series, has given us 10 more fascinating episodes to savor. Spoilers ahead. Continue reading “Review: The Crown, season 2”
The Lady in the Van is a sweet comedy starring Maggie Smith as the lady in question and Alex Jennings as Alan Bennett and Alan Bennett. Alan Bennett is the real life playwright whose existence was invaded by a mysterious and eccentric lady in a van for 15 years. Alan talked to himself, hence Alex Jennings plays him twice. Continue reading “Review: The Lady in the Van”
The Lady in the Van stars Maggie Smith as a homeless woman, Mary Shepherd, who parks her van in a man’s driveway and leaves it there for 15 years. Alex Jennings plays writer Alan Bennett, the man whose driveway is appropriated. It’s based on a real story.
The film is based on a play by the same name by Alan Bennett, which he adapted for the film. Maggie Smith previously played Mary Shepherd in both the stage play and radio play of this story.
Smith looks like the grande dame of cranky in this story about an eccentric woman who just happened to find herself a home in the life of a writer who would turn her story into an award winning play.
Also in the film are Dominic Cooper, Frances de la Tour, Jim Broadbent, Sacha Dhawan, and many others.
The film opens in the US on January 15, 2016. Start your new year with Maggie Smith.
