Review of Control (2004) by David B — 27 Sep 2010

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?