Reviews of Control

This is Control.

Posted : 8 months, 4 weeks ago on 15 February 2009 01:57 (A review of Control)

''When you look at your life, in a strange new room, maybe drowning soon, is this the start of it all?''

A profile of Ian Curtis, the enigmatic singer of Joy Division whose personal, professional, and romantic troubles led him to commit suicide at the age of 23.

Sam Riley: Ian Curtis

Director of Control Anton Corbijn has finally joined the ranks of his contemporaries Spike Jonze, Michel Gondry, and Mark Romanek in directing his first full-length feature. No one could have been a better choice than this still photographer and music video director of cutting edge bands like Depeche Mode, Echo and the Bunnyman, and, of course, Joy Division themselves with the video for Atmosphere albeit eight years after the death of frontman Ian Curtis. Corbijn has the sensibilities to craft a gorgeous biographical study of a man on the verge of newly found greatness and the humanity of his soul, which keeps him from taking that next evolution beyond. The cinematography is glorious in its stark, high contrast, black and white, the performance scenes feel realistic and genuine, and he captures divine performances from every cast member.

Joy Division's lead singer, as portrayed here: I will admit to knowing next to nothing about the band before viewing, possibly enhancing my pleasure as there were no trace of annoyance when something didn't mesh to reality—was not your run-of-the-mill rockstar. Ian Curtis was an everyman like you and me, a fallible creature, both confused and naive in his young age. Marrying so early in life, Curtis had a child, a day job, and a gig fronting one of the hottest bands of the time. What started as a way for expression, however, soon becomes another slice of trouble in his already crumbling life. When diagnosed with epilepsy, a condition for which he once tried to help afflicted gain employment, he begins a regiment of medication concoctions, hoping to find a combination to alleviate the suffering. Mixed with his late night shows and high alcohol consumption, both frowned upon by his doctor, Curtis maybe the only star I know to have fallen into his psychological descent from prescribed drug use. Ever more depressed as his love blossomed between his wife, child, and mistress, Curtis could never find the balance to deal with the fame and the fans. After all he gave in life and on-stage, they just had one answer for him…We want more.

''I wish I were a Warhol silk screen hanging on the wall. Or little Joe or maybe Lou. I'd love to be them all. All New York's broken hearts and secrets would be mine. I'd put you on a movie reel, and that would be just fine.''

Truthfully, Sam Riley is quite a find. Whether his talent is real or just catered perfectly to this role—I'd like to believe the former—he is amazing. Totally embodying Curtis, Riley's face is never shown with a shred of "acting" noticeable. His blank stares, the weak smiles, the crying, and the pain of his seizures all come across as though we are viewing a documentary. Complete with Curtis' unique dance style, it is like watching history as it happens. Credit the rest of his bandmates for adding to the realism in each performance sequence, as well as the supporting cast. I was a bit unimpressed at first with Samantha Morton as his wife Debbie, but that feeling quickly went away. What appeared juvenile and trying too hard to play 20 years old eventually came together as a pretty solid piece of work. Always great, Morton shines when the world begins dissolving around her, but her love for her husband never wavers behind the tears and anger. Besides her, mention also needs to be made for Toby Kebbell as manager Rob Gretton. Starting as comic relief, his character plays a tremendous role in Curtis' life. While the band seemed to be unable to deal with their singer's affliction, Kebbell stays by his side throughout, doing what he can to try and keep him together.

The greatest praise I can give additionally to this film, above even the great performances from the cast, is that it feels like it was really made in the early 80s. It has a BBC2 clunky-kitchen-sink quality ('Come to bed Ian'), that I think may be accidental, but to someone like me who lived in the UK at the time, is more redolent of the era than the twin-tub, pay-phones, and Andrew's Liver Salts in the medicine cupboard combined. It took me to another era of film-going altogether.
More plaudits for letting the actors perform the music themselves, adding authenticity to their roles and an evenness to the musical performances. Even more plaudits for having 'Love Will Tear Us Apart' as the only exception to this. Listening to Ian Curtis sing the words he wrote about the situation unfolding on screen before us in the sharpest of focus brings the pain he felt cutting clearly and directly into the hearts of everyone who watches this perfectly melancholy film.

Control is a remarkable achievement that succeeds by adhering to the one aspect I like in biopics, keeping it simple. We are only shown a few years in his life, the meeting of his wife and bandmates and the short-lived tenure of what was Joy Division. This capsule in time is allowed to evolve and flesh out all the emotions and turmoil that went on. From the highs to the lows, the comradery to the adultery, Curtis is always portrayed as the tragic hero he was. Everything his music did for its listeners, all the power and hope it instilled in the fans, came at a steep price. Draining himself of life and confidence and love, Curtis was never going to be able to keep the ride going into the US. Corbijn gets every moment correct, straight through to the inevitable conclusion. Never trying to shock us, he treats the ending with immense compassion and love. Subdued and heart-breaking, Curtis' demise is allowed to be as beautifully touching as the rest of his shortly spanning time among us, a candle blown out too early, too soon.

''So this is permanence; love-shattered pride. What once was innocence, has turned on its side.''

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A captivating biopic.

Posted : 1 year, 6 months ago on 6 May 2008 08:05 (A review of Control)

"Joy Division, you cunt!"

The band Joy Division managed to generate an astronomical fan base when they helped change the face of music during the 1970s. Control is a poignant, moving, emotive accolade to the life of an ill-fated rock-star named Ian Curtis (Riley) who was the lead singer of Joy Division.

Control is a film that delves deep down into the profoundly troubled life of Ian; a man who died far too young. Ian had a sincere fondness for rock-stars like David Bowie and Iggy Pop. The film's hypnotic opening scene introduces us to a 17-year-old Ian Curtis who is on his way home from school. Control traces the circumstances that initiated his career. He felt that youthfulness meant that he could do whatever he wanted. In this case he married at a tender young age and gained a daughter. When Ian joins a band made up of his mates they call themselves Joy Division. The band quickly becomes increasingly more successful. Ian is soon distracted from family commitments by a new love and the growing expectations of his band. This severe strain manifests itself in his physical condition. With epilepsy adding to his guilt and dejection, despondency holds a firm grip. Conceding to the burden on his shoulders, Ian's tortured soul consumes him.

Control is the feature debut of director Anton Corbijn who was obviously very committed and passionate about making a wholly accurate film. The cinematography was especially effective. People who grew up during that period will tell you that life was black & white. This was the atmosphere director Anton wanted to create, hence shooting the film in evocative, hypnotic black & white photography. The film's ambiance is captivating and mesmerising. The directing in particular never made the film seem like a staged production.

The title itself refers to Ian's troubled existence. The film is absolutely heart-wrenching as Ian believes he failed his wife as his marriage draws to a close, failed his daughter because he was never a good father, failed his band because his health condition forbid him to perform well, but most of all failed himself for destroying his fragile spirit - Ian lost control.

Sam Riley is a little known actor who proved accomplished with his display of acting skills portraying the principal character. He let the audience believe that he is actually this tragic iconic singer whose life was plagued with piles of concerns. Riley was especially haunting during the more tragic scenes. When he collapses on stage the audience's heart also collapses at the catastrophic sight. Riley is amazing. Samantha Morton plays the part of Ian's young wife Debbie. She held a strong love for Ian despite the things he did to jeopardise their marriage. During scenes that required tears and a realistic break down, both Sam Riley and Samantha Morton are exhilarating.

The soundtrack is quite electrifying at times. I thought the music was used sparingly, and it was a very wise choice on the part of the filmmakers. When some of the more poignant scenes are without music it creates an even more devastating impact on the viewer.

Control is a depressingly beautiful production. Although far too short, it is a tribute to the talented, enigmatic Ian Curtis and a fitting portrait for such a man. Ian used so much of his extraordinary ability during his fairly short life. The filmmakers sensitively approached the source material. No-one ever strikes a false note in this stimulating, stunning, incredibly heart-breaking experience. Control cannot be missed at any cost.

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Punk Poet Never Has a Chance

Posted : 1 year, 9 months ago on 16 January 2008 07:12 (A review of Control)

The chances of a poet living into their 30's must only be 50%. And a punk singers chances must also only be 50%. Since Ian Curtis was a poet who turned to punk music his chances of living to a ripe old age were zero. And this movie follows his brief time as an adult. And a good movie it is. The director frequently lets the scene tell the story, rather than having the characters narrate their every move. And the acting was excellent. And Sam Riley was hynotizingly watchable. I was not a fan of the black and white... it gave the movie a very 60's feel to the movie, and it took place in the 70's. And there was nothing B/W about the 70's! But still an excellent movie.

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Persona meets Last Days

Posted : 1 year, 11 months ago on 9 December 2007 03:54 (A review of Control)

I had the highest possible expectations for this one, being a Joy Division fan, and it let me down a little. Control has a huge hype behind it, and it's partially true: it's a beautiful, sensitive movie with superb acting. If you're a fan of the post-punk musical genre (or Joy Division, for that matter), you simply MUST watch this - if you aren't, here's a chance to be a fan, or be annoyed. If not the best piopic of 2007, it's second only to La Môme (Edith Piaf's).

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Control review

Posted : 2 years ago on 30 October 2007 06:42 (A review of Control)

Well written and directed biopic about Ian Curtis, lead singer of Joy Division. Riley does a good job of portraying the young and quiet but enigmatic vocalist and his troubles throughout his short career in music leading up to 1980, while Corbijn's direction lends a very authentic feel to the action onscreen, not least the choice to shoot in black and white. While not the best music biopic of the 21st century thus far (that accolade probably goes to Walk the Line), Control certainly rates among the better ones.

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