100 Movie Challenge 2017 - # 23: Control

Director: Anton Corbijn
Genre: Drama
Runtime: 119 minutes
Year: 2007
Starring: Sam Riley, Samantha Morton, Craig Parkinson, Joe Anderson, Nigel Harris, Nicola Harrison, Toby Kebell, Alexandra Maria Lara, Matthew McNulty, Ben Naylor, James Anthony Pearson, Tim Plester, Robert Shelly, Harry Treadaway

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

Review: “Control” follows the (way too short) life of Ian Curtis, lead singer of Joy Division. This was one of the most influential bands of the late seventies. The film focusses on Curtis’ inner demons, not on the musical aspect. It’s different, but works great. But it’s mostly the black and white style and the performances by Samantha Morton and Sam Riley that turn “Control” into the breathtaking and touching film it is.
Ian Curtis wants to step from the English working class life and is inspired by legends like David Bowie and Iggy Pop. Success follows and Joy Division is a fact. Their success grows. Curtis’ home life isn’t doing as well though. He and Debbie married very young and now have a daughter together. The fact that he is away from home a lot and his affair with groupie Annik, don’t make it easy for the married couple. Curtis also has a form of epilepsy and the attacks get more aggressive.
Control is what Curtis wants, but it’s something he just can’t get. The film is based on the memoires of Curtis’ wife. The love she had for her enigmatic and troubled husband is clearly present, but we also get to know his dark sides. The adultery, the fear, the sadness, the insecurity. The film is about Ian Curtis himself, with his home life and band dynamic on the side.
Director and photographer Anton Corbijn made this choice and this is somewhat of an anti-rock film. “Control” stays with the personal portrait of a young talented musician, who died way too early.
Sam Riley has a tough task portraying Ian Curtis, but does this flawless. The same goes for Samantha Morton, who is probably the beating heart of the film.
“Control” is a fantastic film.

Rating: 5/ 5