The Lady in the Van (2015) - Maggie Smith, Alex Jennings, Jim Broadbent

[Member-275053]

[Member-275053]

What a delightful little British comedy. Maggie Smith is perfect as the elderly homeless woman living out of her dilapidated camper van. Recommended.

[Foggy]

Watched it last year, wasn't too pleased with it. It's fine and all, but I'm kinda sick of these quirky British film.

[Member-275053]

Originally Posted by Foggy

Watched it last year, wasn't too pleased with it. It's fine and all, but I'm kinda sick of these quirky British film.

Yes, I didn't really like Alex Jennings' character, or the inner monologues he holds with himself onscreen. Maggie Smith's performance is what rescues the film for me.

[zorbonaut]

I was expecting big things but was extremely disappointed. It felt like this was a film that should have never been made. After the film I wondered why anyone would have interest in the characters or subject. I love Maggie Smith but this film was a major misfire for me. It didn't come across as a "quirky" British film at all to me. I'm not usually this disappointed but it would go down as one of the worst films of 2015 for me.

[Monterey Jack]

I didn't care for this at all.

[Member-275053]

I'm not surprised that this film wasn't a hit on the forums. It's the story of the relationship between an elderly woman and a closeted gay man.

[zorbonaut]

Originally Posted by JWFORD

I'm not surprised that this film wasn't a hit on the forums. It's the story of the relationship between an elderly woman and a closeted gay man.

It's not that I had an issue with the story, it's that I didn't feel like the story was compelling enough to tell. Nothing about the story felt "cinematic".

[Member-275053]

You didn't feel like this story was "compelling enough to tell?"

Of all the movies that come out each year, most of them bad, you feel the story of the old woman who lived out of her van in a man's driveway for 15 years was the story that didn't need to be told? Well, at least this one made back it's budget (cough, cough, Gods of Egypt).

[Foggy]

Originally Posted by JWFORD

You didn't feel like this story was "compelling enough to tell?"

Of all the movies that come out each year, most of them bad, you feel the story of the old woman who lived out of her van in a man's driveway for 15 years was the story that didn't need to be told? Well, at least this one made back it's budget (cough, cough, Gods of Egypt).

I sort of get what he means, it felt like a BBC feature length Boxing Day TV special as opposed to something you'd pay to see on the big screen. I understand not seeing it as something a bit more grandeur, where the TV flicks rarely make the travel, but it feels like there's something like this every other month here.

[zorbonaut]

Originally Posted by Foggy

I sort of get what he means, it felt like a BBC feature length Boxing Day TV special as opposed to something you'd pay to see on the big screen. I understand not seeing it as something a bit more grandeur, where the TV flicks rarely make the travel, but it feels like there's something like this every other month here.

Yes Foggy.

That describes my feelings toward the film perfectly.

Originally Posted by JWFORD

You didn't feel like this story was "compelling enough to tell?"

Of all the movies that come out each year, most of them bad, you feel the story of the old woman who lived out of her van in a man's driveway for 15 years was the story that didn't need to be told? Well, at least this one made back it's budget (cough, cough, Gods of Egypt).

I'm all for interesting stories but it just didn't feel like a feature film to me and to be honest, it just wasn't interesting.

I usually like your film recommendations but this one just didn't resonate with me at all.

[Member-275053]

Originally Posted by zorbonaut

Yes Foggy.

That describes my feelings toward the film perfectly.



I'm all for interesting stories but it just didn't feel like a feature film to me and to be honest, it just wasn't interesting.

I usually like your film recommendations but this one just didn't resonate with me at all.

Fair enough. Sorry the film didn't interest you. But, I commend you for even giving it a chance.

[hagios]

Watched The Lady In The Van from our library & was not my 'cup of tea'.

[Foggy]

Originally Posted by hagios

Watched The Lady In The Van from our library & was not my 'cup of tea'.

Why, what didn't you like about it?

[hagios]

Originally Posted by Foggy

Why, what didn't you like about it?

I guess for me it was just too slow.

[jacobsever]

Not a fan.

Maggie Smith's performance is great, but the character she is playing is insufferable. There's no redeeming qualities about this annoying, overly-religious, delusional old lady. Rage fills my veins every time she speaks.

I don't find anything about this film, nor the character's relationship to be cute, fun, or enjoyable.

By the time you learn her full backstory and history (from her brother), I have already been annoyed to the point where I do not care why she is the way she is.

[jacobsever]

Also, why/when did JWFORD get suspended? I always liked him.