3.5 stars (out of 5)
‘A Mostly True Story’, longtime theatre luvvie and occasional director Nicholas Hytner’s filming of Alan Bennett’s book and stage and radio play is toplined by a remarkable performance by Maggie Smith, who’s a long way here from her posh roles in Downton Abbey and other prestige UK dramas. Indeed, it’s one of her most daring performances – and certainly her grubbiest.
When Bennett (Alex Jennings in a wonderful imitation) moves into Gloucester Crescent, Camden Park, in 1970, the mysterious ‘Miss Shepherd’ (Smith) is already living in her grotty and rarely-running van on the street and tolerated by neighbours who, in the best English tradition, don’t want to seem rude. Much of Miss Shepherd’s background remains elusive (although we know a bit more about her than the characters), and they ponder whether she was once a nun, a musician or a criminal after they befriend the shy, bookish Bennett, who often has bitchy arguments with himself.
When, in 1974, it looks like Miss Shepherd (or Mary or Margaret?) is to be forced to move on by the police and council, the kind-hearted Bennett agrees to let her van occupy his driveway for a while, partially as he’s intrigued by her story and keen to have some excitement in his life. He regrets it, however, as this while becomes 15 years, and Miss Shepherd uses his toilet, frustrates his work, stinks the place up and generally brings chaos, although she’s sympathetic about the welfare of Bennett’s ‘Mam’ (Gwen Taylor), whose long descent into dementia provided much slightly guilty inspiration for Bennett’s writing.
The real Bennett’s recounting of his experiences with Miss Shepherd could potentially be seen by some as cruel and yet that’s what makes this bitterly funny story work, as Smith boldly makes the character as difficult as possible and fearlessly demonstrates that caring for the frail, the sick, the filthy and the loopy can be extremely hard. And in these PC times few of us want to be told that – no matter how true it might be.
I Wake Up Screening 