Review of Control (2013) by Sameen M — 08 Mar 2013

Despite all of the possible pitfalls that can come from making a biopic about a well-known musician, this one avoids them all and stands out, for me, as possibly the best film of it's genre out there.

I'm a big Joy Division fan but I've never been an Ian Curtis fan outside of his music- I have never felt much for who he was other than as a remarkable lyricist and performer. I still feel this way and it makes for the perfect position to be in to appreciate this film- it's great for it's telling of the story I already know so well but also great for it's portrayal of Curtis- one that allows him to be judged and isn't some kind of pitiful attempt to glorify him like many biopics often are.

Riley's performance is beyond belief- absolutely top-notch and completely convincing, so much so that this is a film you forget you are watching- instead you feel right in it.

It's also a film- not a documentary in movie form- it has it's own points to make and uses this story to make them- it's wide-ranging and I'm sure people unfamiliar with Joy Division or even not fans at all can still appreciate this film for it's story and power.

Top class acting and a great visual approach, one so aesthetically-linked with Joy Divison that you'd think the remaining band members made this film themselves. It never steps over the line- it manages to go beyond a biopic but still remains true to the story it's trying to tell, it isn't a majestic movie, in many ways it's a modest one and this modesty fits in perfectly with the Joy Division story and also allows for this not to be another film that glorifies sad events or tries to create a martyr or anything of that sort- there's enough movies about Kurt Cobain if that's what you are after (though I hope it's not).

Regardless of your thoughts on Curtis or your knowledge of Joy Division this is still a film you should watch and by the end you should have your own view on this story and that's because this film doesn't force you into an opinion and nor should it. It's not a happy one though but I imagine you'd be aware of that already.