Twelve members enjoyed this wonderful screen version of Alan Bennett's play. The story is based on the true story of his strained friendship with Miss Mary Shepherd, an eccentric house-less woman whom Bennett befriended in the 1970s before allowing her to temporarily park her Bedford van in the driveway of his London Borough of Hammersmith and Fulham Chiswick home. She stayed there for 15 years.
With Maggie Smith in the title role you knew you are in for a fun ride and although there were laugh out loud moments at caustic one-liners it was the sensitive juxtaposition of the van lady's needs with those of his own aging mother which elevated this story. I know for some Mr B is a bit like Marmite- love or hate his writing - personally I love both, thickly spread.
Gill 18/11/15
PS Dug out my copy of "Untold Stories" by Alan Bennett and found this gem which will be interesting for those of us that saw the film last night.
With Maggie Smith in the title role you knew you are in for a fun ride and although there were laugh out loud moments at caustic one-liners it was the sensitive juxtaposition of the van lady's needs with those of his own aging mother which elevated this story. I know for some Mr B is a bit like Marmite- love or hate his writing - personally I love both, thickly spread.
Gill 18/11/15
PS Dug out my copy of "Untold Stories" by Alan Bennett and found this gem which will be interesting for those of us that saw the film last night.