Review of Control (2004) by Allen M — 06 Oct 2008

Alas, we may never get a true representation of the life and troubled times of tortured genius/JOY DIVISION frontman Ian Curtis. This year's documentary film directed by Grant Gee seemed to miss the mark by miring the band's history in boring details and failing to focus on the motivations that attracted so many to this darkly creative unit.

This film is based on singer Ian Curtis' former wife's book "Touching From A Distance" (1995), and is surprisingly forgiving of Curtis' taking on a Belgian mistress while his wife was pregnant with their child, a force that would contribute to his ultimate suicide. Brilliantly acted by Sam Riley as Ian Curtis, the film ultimately becomes a fantasy dream, less elegant than "Sid and Nancy", but nearing the ridiculous level of that crappy Gus Van Sant Curt Cobain film.

That is not to say I have not been moved by seeing both a documentary and this bio-pic about a band and frontmen with whom I completely identify. I have been moved by the band since 1982 and recent events in my life have left the band's touchstones of isolation and betrayal ever more relevant. But much as film has never really captured the true nature of rock icons like Sid Vicious and Curt Cobain, perhaps the relatively obscure yet profoundly relevant Ian Curtis will never have his seminal tale captured on film in a manner befitting his legacy.