The Lady in the Van (Nicholas Hytner, 2015)

Adapted from Alan Bennett's own play, this is an account of sorts of the 15 years that Bennett had an old woman living in a van in front of his house in Camden. Alex Jennings does a sterling impersonation of the curmudgeonly writer, with much of his trademark caustic wit on display, while Maggie Smith is an odorous and truculent force of nature as the unwanted guest. The dramatic interludes where the woman's shrouded past is explored work somewhat less well in conjunction with the modern-day satire, but director Hytner is as safe as pair of hands as his stars and so they don't get to detract much from the overall pleasure of the experience.

7/10