Control (2007)

Control (2007)
Director: Anton Corbijn
Writers: Matt Greenhalgh
(Based on Deborah Curtis autobiography "Touching from a Distance")
A profile of Ian Curtis, the enigmatic singer of Joy Division whose personal, professional, and romantic troubles led him to commit suicide at the age of 23.
'Music now and then perfectly seems to fit it’s location as much as it does the times, like 1960's sun drenched California had the Beach Boys. 1970's gloomy industrial Manchester had Joy Division. Control is the story of that bands lead singer Ian Curtis and his decline into depression largely thanks to the medication he was taking for his epilepsy and his failing relationships. Filmed in glorious black and white Anton Corbijn skillfully makes the film as vibrant and stark as joy divisions music was. Sam Rileys performance as Curtis is nothing short of jaw dropping, hes no stranger to Manchester music movies having already played Mark E Smith in 24 Hour Party People, he just gets the movement and dances down so well. Likewise all the actors playing the band members do fine jobs, making the live and studio performances so thrilling. Also turning in note worthy performances are both Samantha Morton as Ian’s wife and Alexandra Maria Lara as Annik Ian’s Belgian love interest. My fave bits though was Craig Parkinson as the bands label owner Tony Wilson who signs the band in blood while telling them he believes in the republic of Manchester way to go old fella, and Toby Kebbell as the bands manager Rob Gretton who delivers the best line of the film by saying "Chin up Ian could be worse, you could be the lead singer of the Fall". The films highly moving and honestly tells Ian's story, painfully bringing home how sad a loss the 23 year old singers life was to his family, band and music fans everywhere. Being a Manc myself and growing up with Joy Division/New Order and factory records I knew the story and had heard most the anecdotes before but it didn’t stop me thoroughly enjoying this film. RIP Ian mate thanks for the music.'

(8½ out of 10)