November Movie: The Lady in the Van

Join us on Thursday, November 18, to watch The Lady in the Van, a film that tells the true story of Alan Bennett's (Alex Jennings) strained friendship with Miss Mary Shepherd (Dame Maggie Smith), a crabby, eccentric, and unsanitary homeless woman whom Bennett befriended in the 1970s, before allowing her to park her Bedford van in the driveway of his Camden home "for three months". She ended up residing there for 15 years. As the story develops, Bennett learns Miss Shepherd's true identity: Margaret Fairchild, a gifted former pupil of pianist Alfred Cortot. She had played Chopin at The Proms, attempted to become a nun, and was committed to an institution by her brother. She escaped, had an accident when her van was hit by a motorcyclist—for whose death she believed herself to blame—and thereafter lived in fear of arrest.

During her 15-year stay in his drive, Bennett balances his writing career with watching over Shepherd and providing for his increasingly invalid mother. Though he denies “caring” for anyone, he slowly becomes aware of his growing friendship.

This is certainly one of those classic “don’t judge a book by its cover” films. Dame Maggie Smith knocks it out of the park with a performance you’re not going to want to miss.

Join us at 5:30pm for snacks and fellowship (bring a snack and drink—nonalcoholic, wine or beer—to share). If you'd like pizza, bring $5 to contribute to that as well. Movie starts at 6pm and is followed by discussion. Current Covid guidelines at the congregation do not require masks for those who are fully vaccinated and have informed the parish (www.tinyurl.com/vaccinatesje). All others are required to wear mask