The Dame gives this lady a van-tastic portrayal
(12A) fibre of her being to play the difficult old lady who lost her way in life. Having Alex Jennings expertly play two versions of Alan Bennett (the writer and the real man) is an inspired conceit that conveys the way writers talk to themselves and allows Alan to sharply observe himself. Miss Shep- herd proved to be an inspiration for the author who credits his peculiar squatter with teaching him to “not just put yourself into what you write, but to find yourself there.” It’s a valuable lesson for all scribes in a film that I could wax lyrical about forever, but a thank-you will probably suffice.