MONDAY
E-mail a friendRhys Ifans
airdate November 11, 2004
Some may recognize actor Rhys Ifans as Adam Sandler's devilish brother in the film, Little Nicky. His big break, and the role that brought him international recognition, was in the British hit comedy Notting Hill. Ifans left his native Wales at age 18 to study acting in London. He got his start on TV and has several English and Welsh productions to his credit. He's also done extensive stage work. On the heels of his turn in the film, Vanity Fair, Ifans' fans can next see him in the feature, Enduring Love.
Rhys Ifans
Tavis: Rhys Ifans is a talented actor whose film credits include 'Notting Hill,' 'The Replacements,' and most recently, 'Danny Deckchair.' His latest film is from the director of 'Notting Hill.' It's called 'Enduring Love.' The film is now out in theaters nationwide. Here now a scene from 'Enduring Love.'
Jed: Why did you throw it away?
Joe: I didn't.
Jed: Then who did, Joe?
Joe: Where did you get this?
Jed: I found it in the bin outside your house. Joe. Joe, Joe. Hmm. Come on. Everything's going to be all right. Forget about Claire. I'm here now.
Tavis: Rhys, nice to meet you.
Rhys Ifans: Nice to meet you.
Tavis: Glad to have you on.
Ifans: Thank you.
Tavis: For those who know your work, they will get this reference. What's up with you and balloons?
Ifans: Yeah.
Tavis: Ha ha ha ha!
Ifans: It's been a year of hot air, I think. Yeah.
Tavis: Ha ha ha! I have to explain that. This movie opens in a big green field with a big red balloon that is central to the story. In 'Danny Deckchair,' of course, you were in a balloon, so there's something about you and balloons of late.
Ifans: Yeah, you know, I kind of like hanging around film sets, I guess.
Tavis: Yeah.
Ifans: I mean, they're 2 very different films, but there is that obvious balloon connection.
Tavis: Did you have any hesitancy about playing a character like this?
Ifans: Absolutely not.
Tavis: What attracted you to it?
Ifans: Well, what attracted me to it was it's, one, that he's--that he does become a dangerous character, but there's a real innocence, almost a child-like, girlie-like kind of innocence. It's something I wanted to explore with him, you know, a coquettishness that is kind of innocent and initially attractive, you know, and I guess that's what dupes Joe's character into thinking that my character is harmless, you know, and, of course, he isn't.
Tavis: Tell me what it was like working with a director who obviously you have a relationship with. You've done work together. By the way--
Ifans: I rather washed.
Tavis: You washed up this time. Another 'Notting Hill' reference, but, anyway, go ahead.
Ifans: Yeah. Yeah, it's the third time I've worked with Roger Michell. I did--first time I worked with him was at the National Theatre in London. We did a production of Dylan Thomas' 'Under Milkwood' together. Then, of course, 'Notting Hill,' and, you know, to his credit, he must have faith in me as an actor to cast me in a very different role in a very different film. You know, he's one of those very rare directors that make you, as an actor, feel that you're collaborating with him as opposed to being a puppet in his vision.
Tavis: Guess I should explain that to you. My mom's watching right now, and she's like, "Why did you sniff that man? Why was you sniffing him and saying he didn't smell so bad?" He was in a film, Mom, called 'Notting Hill' with a guy named Hugh Grant. He was Hugh's roommate, and he was really nasty and funky and stinky and lewd, so I'm just--anyway, OK, um--
Ifans: Don't worry, Mum.
Tavis: Yeah, ha ha ha! Don't worry, Mm. Um, there are a number of people, a number of talented folk, who come out of Wales. What is it about Wales? Something in the water that makes you guys gifted and talented?
Ifans: Well, I think there's a--we just have, uh--you know, we did have a lot of industry. You know, at one time, we supplied the world with its coal and its slate, and, sadly, that industry was taken away, and when you take an industry away, people get bored, and, uh, people have stories to tell, songs to sing, and, um, horizons to reach for, you know. So, um, it's a beautiful place to be, but it's also, um, sometimes a beautiful place to leave.
Tavis: Yeah, when I think Welsh, I think of you and Catherine Zeta-Jones, I think of Sir Anthony Hopkins. Nice legacy there.
Ifans: That's, uh--that's a tall order. That's a hard act to follow, yeah. Richard Burton, of course.
Tavis: Richard Burton, of course, yeah.
Ifans: Tom Jones, Shirley Bassey, um, Jesus Christ himself.
Tavis: Ha ha ha! Now, that's a tall order, right? Um, you--you are from Wales; you still make England your home.
Ifans: Yes, I live in London.
Tavis: You live in London, um, but you spend a lot of time over here I suspect because of the business that you're in.
Ifans: Yeah.
Tavis: You don't--you would never consider, like some actors from your part of the world, moving over here?
Ifans: Well, I'm over here, you know, 4 or 5 times a year with various projects, you know? I love visiting here, but, um, the weather's so good here, you know, I need to get the flu at least once a year, and, uh, the British climate is kind of a good place to--
Tavis: A good place to get the flu?
Ifans: To be illin', yeah.
Tavis: I read somewhere where you said that when you visit here, although you love being stateside, you feel like a spectator. I raise that because I want to ask you what you make of our spectacle days ago, our political spectacle days ago as an outsider, watching what happened here?
Ifans: Well, I never thought in my life that I would, uh, have the opportunity to, um, be a world spokesman or to speak for the rest of the world, and I'd just like to say on behalf of myself and the rest of the world that we are heartbroken and very disappointed.
Tavis: Yeah. At the outcome?
Ifans: Absolutely.
Tavis: Do you--and I don't want to get too political here, but since you said that, let me follow up on that right quick. Is it your sense, since you do have a perspective that we don't have from the outside looking in, that there are, there is a significant number of folk around the globe who feel as you do?
Ifans: Absolutely. I feel it--I mean, especially living in Britain, you feel it acutely that we've been dragged into a war that's illegal. Um, we still love America, but we're not too fond of Republicans right now.
Tavis: Well, he clearly has no enduring love for Mr. Bush and the Republicans, but the movie is called 'Enduring Love.' Fascinating movie. Go check it out. It stars Rhys Ifans. Rhys, nice to see you.
Ifans: Thank you very much.
Tavis: Glad to have you on the program.
Ifans: Cheers.
Tavis: Cheers to you. I like that. Cheers, my friend. As always you can catch me on the radio on NPR. I'll see you back here next time on PBS. Until then, thanks for watching. Good night from Los Angeles, and, as always, keep the faith.
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