Len and Company (2015)

Directed by: Tim Godsall | 97 minutes | comedy, drama | Actors: Rhys Ifans, Juno Temple, Jack Kilmer, Keir Gilchrist, Kathyrn Hahn, Elias Toufexis, Tyler Hynes, Jonathan Potts, Mark O’Brien, Tracey Hoyt, Peter Outerbridge, Matt Baram, Justin Mader, Jenny Raven, Chris Young, Dale Whibley

Rhys Ifans is a headstrong guy, that was ingrained early on. He changed his surname from Evans to Ifans at a relatively young age, probably to help people pronounce his name correctly outside his native Wales. In high school he appeared to be attracted to artistic subjects; drama, music. He made a breakthrough with the general public with his role as Spike, the bland (but very witty) roommate of Hugh Grant in the romantic comedy ‘Notting Hill’. On the one hand, Ifans is very grateful to director Richard Curtis for the opportunity he got, on the other he sometimes curses him, because he can do much more than put down types like Spike, but he is often asked for those kinds of roles. Ifans, especially in the past, has been in the news from time to time because of his riotous lifestyle and his love-hate relationship with the press. The maverick Welshman lived the life of a rock star for a long time. Not so surprising when you consider that he once lived in the same house with Dafydd Ieuan of the psychedelic rock group Super Furry Animals and was part of the company once before the group was known. When he finally decided on a life as an actor, his close connection with the British music scene was reflected in video clips for Oasis, Catatonia, Stereophonics and of course Super Furry Animals.

Ifans is now over fifty and seems to be losing his wild hair a bit. The role of record producer Len Black in the film ‘Len and Company’ (2015) is perfect for him. It connects his passion for music with his public image of a surly, unruly egotist. If Len is indeed as close to his true personality as suggested, then Ifans seems to have softened a bit. But for that you have to struggle through a cocoon of self-protection. Len Black was part of a popular rock group in the early 1990s and has done everything that God has forbidden during that time. Over time, he turned out to have more talent as a producer than as an artist. He became filthy rich by recording albums. He wasn’t really happy, especially when his wife Bella (Kathryn Hahn) left him because she couldn’t stand his drinking and drug use anymore and took their son with her. Meanwhile, Len lives a secluded life in the countryside and prefers to spend his days listening to old books, watching obscure movies and TV series and drifting aimlessly in his dirty pool. The only one he regularly sees is William (Keir Gilchrist), a boy from the nearby village who helps him out in and around the house.

But then Lens’ quietly babbling life is startled by the arrival of his now eighteen-year-old son Max (Jack Kilmer). Len has barely interfered with Max in recent years, mainly to save the boy from trouble. Max grew up to be a good student. What his father does not know, however, is that he has stopped studying to focus all his attention on his tape. He has come to his father because he wants to let him listen to a demo, but because of his father’s distant attitude he does not dare to ask. Len isn’t looking forward to his visit at all, but then teenage star Zoë (Juno Temple) also comes by. Len put her on the map as a producer, but at one point was so fed up with the “world” that he refused to accept a prestigious award he would receive for an album he had produced for her. Zoë obviously didn’t thank him for that, and the two had an affair, but she misses him as a stable factor in her environment. And so Len is stuck with two, as he puts it, ‘piglets’, while all he wants is REST.

‘Len and Company’, directed by Tim Godsall and written by Godsall and Katie Knight, takes some time to get going. The film opens with several scenes in which we see Len driving his car, staring ahead with headphones on and floating silently in the pool. Len who does nothing. Only when the other characters cross his path does something happen. Initially Len is difficult to gauge; he doesn’t behave very socially and he sometimes even outright ignores his son. This socially maladaptive behavior takes some getting used to, but it immediately outlines that with Len you get what you see. And that means in any case no false sentiment! Once he’s ‘loose’ we are treated to some hilarious scenes; especially with his career talk in William’s class is genius! Although the paternal feelings are eventually stirred up, it is done in a subtle, believable way. And that’s a good thing, because otherwise it would have sworn hard with the tone of the film.

Not everyone will feel sympathy for Rhys Ifans, but that only underlines how close the role is to the actor himself; he is not interested in winning souls at all. Moreover, at the end of the film, he seizes the opportunity to show his musicality with both hands. ‘Len and Company’ is a modest, but sincere character sketch in which Ifans feels like a fish in water. With great music, interesting actors and no frills!