Control (2007)

Featured Audience Ratings

• Anthony L

  
  Joy Division are a perfect example of a band who's music I adore without particularly liking as people. I have limited respect or sympathy for Ian Curtis, a fantastic musician but I've always had more sympathy for the Friends and family left behind after suicide. Obviously I… More
  Joy Division are a perfect example of a band who's music I adore without particularly liking as people. I have limited respect or sympathy for Ian Curtis, a fantastic musician but I've always had more sympathy for the Friends and family left behind after suicide. Obviously I don't include people with mental health issues in that equation. There is an unhealthy obsession with the celebrities that die young in our society, it's not a new thing but it's still quite distasteful. At no point though does Anton Corbijn sugar-coat the facts, Ian Curtis is seen for who he was in a fair and balanced manner. Anton Corbijn is a fantastic photographer and I'm delighted that he's now making feature films. It is visually beautiful but I never doubted it wouldn't be, Sam Riley and Toby Kebbell do fine jobs but I've got a soft spot for Samantha Morton, I think she is consistently brilliant. I was particularly impressed with the detail here though, the contact in blood, Stroszek being the last film he watched, Corbijn's take is as real as it could ever be and I really respect him for that. A great film, whether you were a fan of Joy Division or not.

• Cynthia S

  
  Good movie. I never knew too much about the lead singer of this band, only that it he had a sad life. This movie really did well painting a life full of struggles, and difficulties. It is a shame that he died so young.

• MisterYoda ?

  
  For every icon, there is an unknown predecessor who paves the way. Before there was Kurt Cobain, there was Ian Curtis, lead singer of the post-punk band, Joy Division. 27 years after his tragic death, Curtis' incredible contribution to music is finally being recognized in Anton… More
  For every icon, there is an unknown predecessor who paves the way. Before there was Kurt Cobain, there was Ian Curtis, lead singer of the post-punk band, Joy Division. 27 years after his tragic death, Curtis' incredible contribution to music is finally being recognized in Anton Corbijn's film, "Control." It's only fitting that Corbijn serve as director since it was his early photographs of Joy Division that reflected the band's dark, introspective songs. Corbijn went on to photograph and direct videos for such musical greats as U2, David Bowie, Depeche Mode, R.E.M. and Metallica. With his first feature film, Corbijn avoids the pitfalls of many music video directors who inundate us with flashy and unnecessary edits and camera angles. Instead, he lets the stark black and white of the film tell the story of a lead singer tortured by epilepsy, guilt, depression and suicidal thoughts. The use of black and white also captures the factory town of Manchester, England in the late 1970s, a city crumbling under industrial and economic stress. Manchester has since rebounded and is once again thriving. Curtis is played by relative newcomer, Sam Riley, who's quiet and unassuming approach portrays an artist inspired by his heroes, David Bowie and Iggy Pop. At a chance meeting following a Sex Pistols concert, Curtis bonds with three fellow musicians to form the band. As Joy Division begins to flourish, Ian's relationship with his young wife, Deborah, continues to distance itself. Academy Award nominee, Samantha Morton plays the confused wife trying to understand her husband's depressed soul. The film is based on Deborah Curtis' autobiography, "Touching From A Distance", so it comes as a surprise that Morton's character does not have more scenes in the movie. The key to Control is understanding Curtis' depression, which the film accomplishes to near perfection. As he battles epilepsy, the young singer lives in constant fear that his next seizure will be his last. His only option is to swallow a daily cocktail of prescription drugs with side effects so terrible, that most of us would rather tempt fate than endure the aftermath of the pills. Ian's spirit is also tortured by overwhelming guilt brought on by an extra-marital affair with a part-time journalist, played by Romanian-born Alexandra Maria Lara. The most telling scene comes when Ian records an in-studio track for the song "Isolation." While Curtis stoically sings into the microphone, his band mates are distracted with the normal banter that typically occurs in a studio. "Mother, I tried, please believe me. I'm doing the best that I can. I'm ashamed of the things I've been put through. I'm ashamed of the person I am." The lyrics seem to fall on deaf ears except for those of the sound engineer who refers to it as "genius." But Ian's brilliance is also a desperate cry for help ignored by everyone in the studio. The 27-year-old Riley does an excellent job of capturing Curtis' aloofness on stage. Singers such as Jim Morrison, Kurt Cobain and even the early years of Michael Stipe would often drift into the moment of the song. But when Curtis performed, he immersed himself into his own world where the music simply served as the soundtrack. Riley skillfully draws us into Ian's dark world with a range of subtle head movements and facial expressions to a whirling explosion of arm gyrations that came to personify the singer's stage performances. Overwhelmed with grief, shame and depression, Ian finally succumbs to his demons at the young age of 23. He left behind a wife, a child and a musical legacy that is finally receiving its just rewards nearly three decades later. For those looking for a story solely about Joy Division, Control may not be for you. But for those seeking an intuitive perspective into the anguished spirit of one of the most influential alternative bands in history, you will certainly find it in this depressing but incredibly beautiful film.

• A.D. V

  
  I generally don't do biopics because they're either not very interesting or very true to life but this, the rise and fall of Ian Curtis is an expertly made film directed by Anton Corbijn, Depeche Mode's long-time collaborator. It's a somewhat bleak yet touching… More
  I generally don't do biopics because they're either not very interesting or very true to life but this, the rise and fall of Ian Curtis is an expertly made film directed by Anton Corbijn, Depeche Mode's long-time collaborator. It's a somewhat bleak yet touching tribute to the soul of Joy Division and Sam Riley does a bang up job as Ian with the rest of the cast holding their own as well.

• Lady D

  
  A little slow moving, but this biopic of Joy Division?s front man Ian Curtis' life is realistic with some enjoyable performances. I don?t claim to be a Joy Division fan and therefore can?t comment on the accuracy shown by the Actors in this film. For me though Samantha… More
  A little slow moving, but this biopic of Joy Division?s front man Ian Curtis' life is realistic with some enjoyable performances. I don?t claim to be a Joy Division fan and therefore can?t comment on the accuracy shown by the Actors in this film. For me though Samantha Morton really stood out in this. Worth the watch, but fairly drawn out.

• Bannan i

  
  As I'm not totally familiar with the band or the whole story behind the music...this was quite an intriguing film to watch. First, because the entirety of the movie was all in black and white. Thus, setting it apart from almost every single movie out today...but I think it did… More
  As I'm not totally familiar with the band or the whole story behind the music...this was quite an intriguing film to watch. First, because the entirety of the movie was all in black and white. Thus, setting it apart from almost every single movie out today...but I think it did well in such tones as it really set the tone for the overall story. It seems quite a few films thesedays are being made from books, and biopics I have yet to read! Anyways, less rambling more review. The story is of how a young and quiet young man named Ian Curtis tries to survive in a bleak and grey Macclesfield. He spends his time working in an employment agency and finally ends up joining a band called Warsaw. As time goes on, he meets a girl named Debbie who he marries shortly thereafter. Then, him and his bandmates watch this show of a record company who feature new and upcoming bands. He is determined to get time on this show, and sure enough fate smiles down on the whole group and they make it. They create this reaction when they change the name to Joy Division and pretty soon everyone wants to pick apart his brain and be his best friend. This puts a strain on his relationship with Debbie, as all Ian ever wants to do is either write, sing, go on gigs or watch telly with a cig in his mouth. The couple finally have a baby, but even that doesn't seem to make him content in any way and thus he shifts his attentions to a belgium reporter named Annik. At this time, Ian is still working at the employment agency and one of his clients is a young girl who suffers from seizures. He calls to check up on her and learns of her demise. One time he suffers from what is called a 'fit' on the road home from a poor gig and finally Debbie persuades him to go to the doctor. He receives various medications but they don't seem to help at all. As he struggles with epilepsy, mixed feelings for his wife and Annik. Plus, the strain of being famous and the fans always wanting more seems to drain him of his energy until finally and utterly he continues to lose the control he once had in his life. This movie I can't say is for everyone, but people who enjoy Joy Division's music might probably be the first people I'd recommend it to. Otherwise, if you're feeling adventurous and interested about what it's about I say go for it. You have nothing to lose, it's a really interesting look at the enigmatic singer. David, lol...you recommended Kontrol to me...and I forgot...that this wasn't the movie you meant...but it was totally worthwhile. xD

• Tim S

  
  It's a great thing when a film makes you want to go out and find out everything about it's subject. This is one of those films. Sam Riley is phenomenal and Morton is always good. I am a sucker for black and white cinematography and the manager is how I imagine Alex to be as… More
  It's a great thing when a film makes you want to go out and find out everything about it's subject. This is one of those films. Sam Riley is phenomenal and Morton is always good. I am a sucker for black and white cinematography and the manager is how I imagine Alex to be as a band manager. "You daft cunt. Don't be offended, I call everyone that." Genius.

• Christopher M

  
  I've been anticipating the release of this film since I heard of its conception, and I'm proud to report that Control is an almost perfect music biopic. The whole Ian Curtis story is very close to me; being a longtime fan of Joy Division and just being very affected by the… More
  I've been anticipating the release of this film since I heard of its conception, and I'm proud to report that Control is an almost perfect music biopic. The whole Ian Curtis story is very close to me; being a longtime fan of Joy Division and just being very affected by the tragedy and its connection with the music. Unknown British actor Sam Riley takes on the massive responsibility of portraying Ian Curtis. This is a sensitive issue, being as Curtis was already almost a legend by the time he died at 23, and continues to have a lasting impact on the music industry and a massive following. Luckily, Riley handles the pressure very well and, in the process, delivers an astounding and completely truthful and honest performance. Riley will absolutely have a great future in the film industry; in my opinion, seeing how well he handled this loaded role, he should be able to handle much of anything (it doesn't hurt that he bears a striking resemblance to Curtis, either). In the tradition of many recent biopics, most of the music is re-recorded and performed by the actors themselves, all of which learned to play the songs for this film on their own. This is dangerous territory to enter considering the fanbase of Joy Division, but thankfully they do an excellent job and all the songs sound very fresh and worthy of their original counterparts. This is a first time directing a feature film for Anton Corbijn (being a music video director before) and he does a great job - the movie looks and sounds and feels fantastic. the black and white was a good choice, and Corbijn pulls some really interesting, striking shots out of his hat, and constructs an extremely solid film in the process. My hope is this film will serve not only to please the current Joy Division fanbase (as it did me), but will also introduce a new generation of music fans to the darkly beautiful and wonderfully bleak world of Joy Division, helmed by the iconic tragic figure of Ian Curtis.

• Steve K

  
  Solid though slight look at the life of Ian Curtis, singer for Joy Division. Acting is good across the board, but there's not a lot of insight to Curtis or how his band became special in a very specific moment in musical history. Gorgeous cinematography often overwhelms… More
  Solid though slight look at the life of Ian Curtis, singer for Joy Division. Acting is good across the board, but there's not a lot of insight to Curtis or how his band became special in a very specific moment in musical history. Gorgeous cinematography often overwhelms storytelling.

• Robert C

  
  Let me preface this by saying I'm a HUGE Joy Division / New Order fan. Having said that, I found this film to be very interesting, extremely moving and beautifully shot. My only complaint is that I would have liked to have gotten a better feel of Ian's relationship… More
  Let me preface this by saying I'm a HUGE Joy Division / New Order fan. Having said that, I found this film to be very interesting, extremely moving and beautifully shot. My only complaint is that I would have liked to have gotten a better feel of Ian's relationship with the rest of the band, which seems to have been glossed over for the most part. I can't honestly say that the amazing visuals and emotional storyline would be enough for someone with no knowledge or love for the music of Joy Division to really enjoy this film. But if you are a fan, I think you will be pleased (and heart-broken) by this lovingly made tribute to Ian Curtis and the music of Joy Division.

• Shauna R

  
  Electrifying, heart-breaking, incredible. Control is a stunning and thought-provoking film that definately plays with your emotions. Joy Division changed the face of music in the 1970's and this is the story of extremely talented yet doomed lead singer Ian Curtis. Newcomer Sam… More
  Electrifying, heart-breaking, incredible. Control is a stunning and thought-provoking film that definately plays with your emotions. Joy Division changed the face of music in the 1970's and this is the story of extremely talented yet doomed lead singer Ian Curtis. Newcomer Sam Riley is a revelation as Ian Curtis, he compels the viewers and takes them along for the journey with him. Samantha Morton is tremendous also, she encapsulates the role of Curtis' neglected wife and really gives a sincere performance. I also must mention Toby Kebbell who plays Joy Division's manager, he plays his part very well too. The film is shot entirely in black and white which gives the film a very haunting atmosphere, the director seems to be obviously passionate about this subject which adds greatly to the quality of the film. The soundtrack is used very wisely, creating some very electrifying and poignant scenes. I'd recommend this film to anybody regardless that they know much or like Joy Division's music at all. This film is a worthwhile watch that's intense, engaging yet beautifully depressing.

• Michael G

  
  Anton Corbijn tells the story of Ian Curtis through dismal (in a good and very appropriate way) and beautiful imagery. Sam Riley is fantastic as Curtis and Samantha Morton plays Deborah Curtis so sympathetically that a little part of you dies every time she shows up onscreen. The… More
  Anton Corbijn tells the story of Ian Curtis through dismal (in a good and very appropriate way) and beautiful imagery. Sam Riley is fantastic as Curtis and Samantha Morton plays Deborah Curtis so sympathetically that a little part of you dies every time she shows up onscreen. The music was fantastically done even though Curtis was demystified so greatly and my perception of Joy Division recordings is shattered (he always sounded beyond his years but despite his talent, Corbijn reminds us that Curtis was just a child) Control was a great and very well done movie. Even though I couldn't sympathize with Curtis on most levels the lead up to his death still gave me chills and left me a little misty. And that final shot was brilliant.

• xGary X

  
  Joy Division have always been the kind of band I appreciate rather than love. They are intelligent, important, and interesting but have never got my adrenalin flowing like many of my favourites do. The same is true of this film. It's very well made, well shot and well written and… More
  Joy Division have always been the kind of band I appreciate rather than love. They are intelligent, important, and interesting but have never got my adrenalin flowing like many of my favourites do. The same is true of this film. It's very well made, well shot and well written and the performance by Sam Riley as Ian Curtis is totally believable. But somehow it left me cold. I felt like I was watching a museum exhibit; a portrait of a young man in a glass case that I had no emotional attachment to. Was he a troubled genius plagued by mental illness, or was his suicide caused by the side effects of a cocktail of ineffectual and misprescribed drugs? Or was he just a typically selfish and pretentious pop star just guilty about not being able to say no to a hot and willing young groupie? I don't bloody know, and neither it seems, does this film. A very honest and believable biopic that unfortunately holds no answers for anyone looking for a window into the inner workings of Curtis' mind.

• Nicki M

  
  This was an excellent movie. Beautifully filmed in black and white, interesting all the way through. I did not actually know anything much about Ian Curtis or his life prior to watching this, well actually I still don't know if I do, since this movie was based on the book his… More
  This was an excellent movie. Beautifully filmed in black and white, interesting all the way through. I did not actually know anything much about Ian Curtis or his life prior to watching this, well actually I still don't know if I do, since this movie was based on the book his wife wrote. I certainly hope it was very one sided, because my main problem with it was that he wasn't actually very likeable! I certainly had sympathy for him with his epilepsy and to some extent his depression, but the way he treated his wife was just awful, and seemed to be unwarranted (if all it was based on is true). The movie seems to be more about his personal life than the music, which I enjoyed, but I don't know if it would be to everyone's taste.

• Gordon A

  
  Gloomy tale of Ian Curtis's short life which serves as testimony to the perils of marrying young. Sam Riley anchors the film amidst strong performances all round.

• Dr Blood  

  
  As a big fan of Joy Division I really wanted to like this but it was woefully inadequate as a biopic of Ian Curtis and was even worse as just a film in its own right. Most of the actors look very similar to the members of Joy Division especially James Anthony Pearson as Bernard… More
  As a big fan of Joy Division I really wanted to like this but it was woefully inadequate as a biopic of Ian Curtis and was even worse as just a film in its own right. Most of the actors look very similar to the members of Joy Division especially James Anthony Pearson as Bernard Sumner. The problem is that they don't really act like them. That's not to say that Sam Riley doesn't do an excellent job as Ian Curtis but it just feels wrong and he comes across as a particularly dull person. Too much time is spent on trying to get the little anecdotal stories into the picture rather than showing him as the musician. I also found the beginning of the film slightly confusing as it went from Ian at school to suddenly being in a band with no real explanation as to how and why he got there. Joy Division fans already know the story but I think the film would have benefited from showing Joy Division (or Warsaw as they were then known) in their pre-Tony Wilson days. I'm surprised at how many things were left out too. If you aren't a fan then you'll need to do a lot of background reading to fill in the gaps. For instance, the story of how they sacked their first manager, got him to check the tyre on the car and sped off and left him, was completely missing yet is still one of the most amusing from their early days. The only light relief comes from Tony Kebbell as their plain-speaking manager Rob Gretton. It is a very depressing film otherwise but I suppose it can't really go any other way since we all know how things will end. I didn't like Samantha Morton in the role of Deborah Curtis either. They made her out to be far too frumpy in comparison to Alexandra Maria Lara (as Annik) who just oozed Belgian sexiness from every pore (even if she is Romanian in real life). Anyway, I suppose it's not the worst biopic ever. It's just not a particularly exceptional one. There's a good chunk of Joy Division's music in it which is performed surprisingly well by Sam Riley (rather than lip-syncing to the original vocals) and that's what everyone really cares about anyway.

• Ross C

  
  Appropriately shot entirely in black & white to help convey the troubled mindset of Ian Curtis. This is a biopic very much for Joy Division fans, like myself, only, who want to understand both the genius and conflict of their music. The actors gave great performances of the live… More
  Appropriately shot entirely in black & white to help convey the troubled mindset of Ian Curtis. This is a biopic very much for Joy Division fans, like myself, only, who want to understand both the genius and conflict of their music. The actors gave great performances of the live sets.

• Justin F

  
  Interesting film. Ill confess to never being a massive fan of Joy Division (though ive always liked New Order) but this isnt essential to enjoy this film. It tells the story of Ian Curtis's rise from simple beginings working in the local labour exchange to critical acclaim and… More
  Interesting film. Ill confess to never being a massive fan of Joy Division (though ive always liked New Order) but this isnt essential to enjoy this film. It tells the story of Ian Curtis's rise from simple beginings working in the local labour exchange to critical acclaim and adulation as lead singer with Joy Division. Curtis not only had problems with the fame & attention but also had to battle with epilepsy (all of which becomes too much). Filming the story in Black & White was a masterstroke though. Curtis's trips back home to Macclesfield always seems to give added emphasis to how he seemed to disliked it intensely. I couldnt warm to Curtis as a person though and I think this is because he brought seemingly nothing but pain to those he loved. In saying this I accept that the film has a certain amount of creative license. Riley is excellent throughout and he does a good job of projecting Curtis's troubled mind and is especially good when on stage. Morton is also good as his wife and my heart really bled for her. Toby Kebbell is also excellent as the bands manager and I think he deserves more exposure on the big screen. Honourable mention must also go to the cast who play the performances in the film themselves and they are simply brilliant. Dead Souls is a great tune isnt it?

• Mike T

  
  I listened to the first Joy Division album before watching this film, and that was basically the extent of my prior knowledge. As someone fairly uneducated in the world of the band and its frontman, I was impressed with Control. Anton Corbijn shows major potential as a director with… More
  I listened to the first Joy Division album before watching this film, and that was basically the extent of my prior knowledge. As someone fairly uneducated in the world of the band and its frontman, I was impressed with Control. Anton Corbijn shows major potential as a director with one of the strongest debuts I've seen in a while. He makes his mark on this project with a lot of unique decisions, and he really provides us with a vivid experience. This is such a gloomy, atmospheric movie, and most of that resonance can be attributed to its aesthetic elements. This is one of the most beautifully shot movies of the 2000s. The performances are every bit as good as the photography. The whole cast is excellent, with standouts from Samantha Morton and Sam Riley.

• Daniel P

  
  <i>"I never meant for it to grow like this. When I'm up there singing, they don't' understand how much I give, and how it effects me. And now they want more. They expect me to give more. And I don't know if I can. It's like, it's not happening… More
  <i>"I never meant for it to grow like this. When I'm up there singing, they don't' understand how much I give, and how it effects me. And now they want more. They expect me to give more. And I don't know if I can. It's like, it's not happening to me, but someone pretending to be me. Someone dressed in my skin."</I> <p>A beautiful looking and extremely well acted biopic of the introverted Ian Curtis, the singer of Joy Division, who took his own life in 1980. I find myself with very little to say about <i>Control</i>, not because it's not stunningly made - because it is - I just don't have the eloquence to adequately describe how it has made me feel. Sam Riley is terrific as Curtis - he doesn't imitate him (in certain instances he both looks and sounds like him, more often he doesn't) but makes the role his own, as he should, and somehow remains essentially likeable throughout. Samantha Morton broke my heart. She is wonderful, and considering the book the film is based on is written by the person she plays (Deborah Curtis), she never overshadows the film. She conveys what is like to have so much love for someone that is simply not returned in the way she wants. The photography is gorgeous, the music is of course amazing, the end is painful to watch. This is an excellent film.

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