The Lady in the Van

Maggie Smith gives a fully lived-in performance (and a very anti-"Downton Abbey" turn) as a homeless woman who, yes, resided in a van.

The story is based on reality: An elderly soul named Mrs. Shepherd parked her van in the London driveway of playwright Alan Bennett — for 15 years. Bennett wrote a play about it all, which became this movie.

Smith has played the role before, on radio and on stage, and it shows in all the shades she brings to this cantankerous, mentally askew, unkempt woman. Her performance gives this slight film some emotional heft.

Alex Jennings provides Smith with an understated foil as Bennett, who imagines himself here as separate individuals — one who writes and one who lives.

One thing the movie does capture well is the very British sense of community in the neighborhood.