Subscribe      List an Event or Business      Invite a Writer      Write for WN      Writers      Other Locations
list an event      1 million Australian readers every month      facebook

Len and Company - Film Review (American Essentials Film Festival 2017)

Home > Canberra > Cinema | Community Events | Film Reviews | Fun Things To Do | Movie Reviews
by Jen (subscribe)
Please 'CLICK LIKE' if you enjoyed what you read. The more 'likes' it has, the more exposure the event receives.
Event: -
There's a lot of heart to be found in Len's reclusive world
american essentials film festival 2017, len and company, california dreams, mike ott, are we not cats, xander robin, film festivals, movie buffs, movie reviews, film reviews, community event, filmgoers, actors, movie stars, palace cinemas, 20th century women, becoming bond, documentaries, australian premieres, toronto and venice festivals, sundance, world premieres, opening night gala, community event, entertainment, andy warhol's bad, annie hall, barfly, david lynch the art life, eraserhead, the graduate, mulholland dr, postcards from the edge, the untold tales of armistead maupin, you never had it, an evening with bukowski, independent films
Image courtesy of American Essentials Film Fest

american essentials film festival 2017, len and company, california dreams, mike ott, are we not cats, xander robin, film festivals, movie buffs, movie reviews, film reviews, community event, filmgoers, actors, movie stars, palace cinemas, 20th century women, becoming bond, documentaries, australian premieres, toronto and venice festivals, sundance, world premieres, opening night gala, community event, entertainment, andy warhol's bad, annie hall, barfly, david lynch the art life, eraserhead, the graduate, mulholland dr, postcards from the edge, the untold tales of armistead maupin, you never had it, an evening with bukowski, independent films
Images © Anonymous Content and QVF Inc.

Len and Company is a 102 min long offering from Director Tim Godsall, enjoying its Australian Premiere. Earmarked for audiences over 15 years of age, it stars the formidable Rhys Ifans, supported by the talented Juno Temple. Ifans is Len, an ageing punk rocker turned music producer, doing a Greta Garbo "I vant to be alone" on his rural property. A drop out from the rock rat race, his desire falls on deaf ears when his son Max turns up. An uneasy relationship, Max is just looking for the right moment to get his father's opinion about his demo tape.

Following hot on Max's heels is Len's newest protege, Zoe, also trying to get away from the trappings of being the 'rock chick'. His peace shattered, Len seethed, "My sanctuary's been invaded by needy little piglets". Dealing with his 'surrogate-like' son and general around the house handyman and schoolboy William is a far easier road to travel.


Welsh actor and musician Ifans has always delighted and played diverse characters from Danny Deckchair to the Lizard in a Spiderman sequel. He shines no less as Len, the rude and self-absorbed ageing rocker who has dropped off the radar. He is the strongest character in this film and he manages to draw your affection in spite of his surly character. That takes some skill!

Young pop star Zoe, played by Juno Temple, attracts a bit of an eyebrow raising moment when she convincingly rips into Len, yet manages to maintain a semblance of a relationship intact. You need to give this film a bit more time to come to the boil, as Ifans carries it from strength to strength, developing his character like a fine wine. It's not all doom and gloom in this low-key study of strained relationships. Ifan's monologue at a local school to a class of teens about his rock career is not to be missed!

Check out the website for other films at the American Essential Film Festival 2017.

Help us improve  Click here if you liked this article  13
Share: email  facebook  twitter
Why? American Essentials Film Festival 2017
When: SYD: 9-24 May, MEL: 11-24 May, CAN: 16-28 May, BRIS: 17-28 May, ADEL: 18-28 May 2017
Where: Sydney, Melbourne, Canberra, Brisbane, Adelaide
Your Comment
More Melbourne articles
Articles from other cities
Featured
123
Top Events
105
Popular Articles
62
Categories
Lists
Questions