Maggie Smith at the BBC: DVD Review (2008)

A necessary collection of the actress’ lesser-known works: 1972’s “The Merchant of Venice” and “The Millionairess”; 1988’s “A Bed Among the Lentils”; and 1993’s “Suddenly Last Summer.”

All are good, but Richard Eyre’s version of Tennessee Williams’ “Summer” is the standout.

It finds Smith taking on Katharine Hepburn’s iconic role as Mrs. Venable and, in the process, smacking down poor Natasha Richardson’s Catharine with a lobotomy--her scenes opposite Richardson are alive with the mince of underhanded cruelty.

What’s so impressive about the set is that regardless of how the actress challenged herself--and her willingness to do so is what makes this collection as satisfying as it is--her ability to tap into a host of different characters is never short of impressive.

She makes it all look easy--a little too easy--which, of course, it isn’t.

Grade: B+