Guy Lodge , of '' Variety '' magazine , attended the worldwide premiere at the Toronto International Film Festival . After the screening , he described Smith 's portrayal of Mary Shepherd as " one of the most tailor-made leading roles of her late career " . Even though , he says , the film is " low on narrative drive " and " marred by a misjudged final act " , " Hytner 's amiable love fest " is " enlivened by Smith ’s signature irascibility ; silver-dollar auds should turn up , if not in droves , at least in healthy vanloads . " . Frank Scheck , of '' The Hollywood Reporter '' , also attended the premiere , and like Lodge , he felt Smith 's character was the " driving force " behind the film . Not to his surprise , Smith " fully exploits the humour in her character 's bizarreness " . For example , when her character " receives guidance from the Virgin Mary ; her utter obliviousness to her lack of personal hygiene ; her hatred of the sound of music that sends her fleeing whenever she hears a note ; and her ragtag wardrobe which has been assembled from various dumpsters " . In spite of the humour , Scheck praised Smith for " subtly convey ing the emotional pain and desperation of an addled old woman , especially in the scenes where she is taken away by social services and gently treated to a thorough washing , feeding and medical examination "
Toronto International Film Festival
2015 Toronto International Film Festival
The Lady in the Van