Control (2007)

Overall rating from 1 to 100: 54

O Masterpiece (100)
O Excellent (75-99)
O Rental (60-74)
X OK (50-59)
O Mediocrity (30-49)
O Avoid (1-29)

Review by Jason Pyles / November 16, 2007

“Control” recounts the tragic life and untimely death of Ian Curtis (Sam Riley), the lead singer of an English rock band of the ‘70s called Joy Division (a band whose residual members later assembled New Order). Filmed in black and white, “Control” attempts to tell his simple story, straight through, beginning to end.

Curtis’ wife, Deborah (Samantha Morton) and their baby daughter, are depicted even more pitifully and more sympathetically than the tortured-artist whom the film is about. But this bias is easily understood when we realize that the movie is based on Deborah Curtis’ autobiographical book, “Touching From a Distance.” And, not to mention, she also co-produced the film.

But that’s not to say that she’s unfair to her late husband. The impression given is that she just wanted Ian’s story to be told. And so it is ... and it’s a sad one.

“Control” opens in 1973 in Macclesfield, England. Here we witness the selfish character of Ian, a brooding writer and daydreamer. We worry as we witness his impetuous decisions to marry young and have a baby. We see the rise of his band, Joy Division, including several performances, which are enjoyable. And we also see Ian’s struggle with epilepsy, fame, family, and love, which all eventually lead to his downfall (a traditional rock star’s saga, for the most part).

“Control” is a film that is unforgiving in its downward spiral. In much the same way that a depressed person’s sorrow is tangibly felt by those nearby, the film remarkably bestows its melancholy and dread upon us, the audience.

“Control” has appreciable artistic elements, such as an alarming, uncomfortable close-up of one of Ian’s epileptic “fits.” Another moment shows us Ian singing about isolation, while he is literally isolated in a recording studio’s isolation booth, added to his apparent emotional isolation. Not bad.

But let’s be honest: Unless you particularly love Ian Curtis, Joy Division or a slow-moving injection of depression, “Control” probably isn’t worth seeing. As unfortunate and tragic as it all is, subjecting ourselves to this singer’s selfishness and inexplicable, tormented despair is unneeded and unnecessary, at least for most of us, but evidently not for his widow.

Directed by Anton Corbijn
Sam Riley / Samantha Morton / Alexandra Maria Lara
121 min. Drama / Biography
MPPA: R (for language and brief sexuality)

Copyright 2007. 216