Control (2007)

A great film, with great cinematography and style. Excellent acting and likeness from Sam Riley to the real Ian Curtis! The media portayed his death differently to the actual film. Very interesting!

Brilliant! I encourage you to watch, observe and absorb. Read the Book afterwards and shows a stark portrayal of a pure genius descending into darkness on his road to fame. Excellent Movie.

“Control” is the “true-to-life” story of Ian Curtis, lead singer of Joy Division; the movie is based on the book “Touching from a Distance: Ian Curtis and Joy Division” written by Deborah Curtis, Ian’s wife. The film covers the period of his life from 1974-5 through to his suicide on the 18th of May 1980. Joy Division was a post-punk band from Manchester, England. In 1979 they changed the face of music in England with the release of their critically acclaimed debut album "Unknown Pleasures", the band recorded their second album "Closer" in 1980 just a few weeks before Curtis took his life in May. This film covers roughly, a five year period showing the progression of Curtis, Joy Division and their music of the era. Although many of the actors were limited in their experience, their performances are first rate and what’s more importantly, they are believable as Curtis and Joy Division. The lead carries the roll of Curtis, mastering his unique stage dance, suffering epilepsy, a failing marriage, depression, and his final act of suicide on the eve of the band’s first US tour, all culminate to its’ ultimate conclusion. Sam Riley (Ian Curtis) give’s anyone who was a fan of Curtis a double –take, he is Ian Curtis, and the others become Joy Division. Riley takes the voice and music of Curtis and Joy Division from that period of the 70’s

didnt really get much from this film a little boring, but ok

So sad :( Makes me curious to know more about Ian Curtis and Joy Division as I only knew one of their songs. A brilliant movie that left me weeping...

Never heard of Joy Division and, as it turns out, I don't like their music. BUT this is a brilliant film about a troubled musician. Sam Riley is a terrific new actor and Samantha Morton is heartbreaking as Debbie, Ian Curtis' wife.

A good film, but I think it would help if you were a Joy Division fan.

One of the best films I’ve seen this year. Young, troubled Ian Curtis’ struggle to reconcile the stifling conservatism of his upbringing with the excesses of newfound rock band fame would stand alone as a gripping and tragic story. However, this film is lifted to greatness due to brilliant, measured performances by the cast, tight filmmaking and a haunting soundtrack of Joy Division’s key songs. The director of ‘Control’ shows just that - and has produced a powerful, measured work of cinema.

Riley does an excellent job of portraying Ian Curtis as we didn't know him on stage... Joy Division was

A movie for grown ups. Great , understated acting . The black and white give it that "alienated from society vibe" . Great filmmakind

This is an astonishing film about a young man who struggled with his poetic and creative sensibilities and his claustrophobic family and cultural background. Beautifully acted and directed, it is a masterpiece of cinema. It created the mood of the times exquisitely. The music is great and visually it's really interesting. Manchester accents, humour and irreverence all make the film enjoyable, even though it contains tragic events and much sadness.

A film that sucks you in, bit by bit, in its very understated British way. Who knew monosyllabic could be so interesting?! But it is...

A beautifully made film telling the tragic story of Joy Division. Although there were a few gaps in the story, you really felt Ian's conflict without the director over-glamorizing his story. Excellent performances. Very moving.

Fantastic! Sam Riley nailed Ian Curtis, it was chilling to watch. Beautful cinematography. Highly recommended.

Great performances - the guys perform the material themselves. Beautifully shot. Excellent.

The performances, the cinematography and the direction (in black and white) are extraordinary, but it was the music the really snared me. I'm in my sixties nonetheless I found the music riveting.

excellent

Plays like a kitchen sink drama from the sixties where an up and coming working class boy feels dragged down by the fact that he is caught in a suffocating early marriage and fatherhood. Unlike in the sixites Curtis is suffering from mental illness which can only spell distaster. Well directed but downbeat.

A terrific movie, not just for Joy Divsion fans. Sam Riley was superb, as was Samantha Morton. Great cinematography and really captured the 'feel' of the time. Highly recommended

one of my all time favourites - captures the era beautifully in black and white - the sams are superb in their lead roles

Depressing, gloomy, get it if you are too happy.

I loved Control, saw it at the cinema last year and just had to hire it again so I could talk my husband in to watching it too. He isn't the Joy Division fan that I am but he also thought it was a great film. Beautifully shot, intensely, yet subtly acted and the soundtrack played by the actors is very convincing. Even though we all know the way the story ultimately turns out the final few scenes still made me cry (ok, so I'm a bit of a sook!). Maybe not the right film for everyone but this one has very easily become a firm favourite of mine and I can see myself watching it again in the future.

Interesting film, gifted performer and songwriter torn between his family life and impending success as an artist.

A fabulous film if you like Joy Division. Fantastically acted & flows along beautifully. The music throughout is just wonderful.

Wonderfully acted and loved the way it was shot on black and white. Ultimately a depressing tale.

I really enjoyed this movie - even if it wasn't a true story it would have been good. It really gives a sense of the torment in Ian Curtis' life, and the intensity of his art. It made me want to listen to Joy Division all over again.

True to Deborah Curtis' biography 'Touching From a Distance', 'Control' doesn't paint her widow, Joy Division lead singer Ian Curtis as anything but the man he was: a depressed, selfish and intense young man, puzzled by his predicament and the actions of those around him. As a fan of Joy Division, the work of Anton Corbijn and of Deborah Curtis' brutally honest memoir, I had hoped that this wouldn't turn out to be a film glorifying the actions and persona of the band and Ian Curtis as Michael Winterbottom's '24 Hour Party People' had done a few years previous. I was more than pleasantly surprised by what unfolded before my eyes. A brilliantly raw and honest biographical account of a tortured artist on a backdrop of striking cinematography. A must see film for music enthusiasts and film buffs alike.

This movie took me a while to get into. However tragic story of a talented young man

What a tradegy; such a gifted young man losing his way so early in his life. Well acted, great music and being filmed in black & white added to the overall feeling of a lost life and desperation.

Love the Black & White and funky shots that gave the movie the right feel. Bit slow in parts but worth a watch particulalry if you liked the music from that era.

Did not like this film very much. It was slow and drawn out. I still watched the whole film. But did not enjoy it. found it quite sad in the end.

Great movie filmed through the eyes of a photographer. Centers on the evolution of the late 70s band Joy Division and particularly the lead singer Ian Curtis, stunningly portrayed by Sam Riley. Ian was a tortured young man both physically and emotionally which ultimately led to a tragic outcome. The black and white cinematography leaves the viewer with images etched in their brain. Again the product of photographer /Director Anton Corbijo. See this one.

Marry young and repent at leisure!!!!

This film was good, I don't think it was as great as I was expecting it to be from all the glowing reviews. I actually thought it was a little dull.

Good movie although not quite what I had expected.

Excellent portrayal of real events.

Interesting movie, although a bit slow at times. Well acted by Sam Riley. The black and white footage captures the bleak mood well.

Tragic, yet great .... Long Live the sound of Joy Division

this is a really interesting film and an example of talent triumphing over a low budget. Well, one imagines it's made on the smell of an oil rag but the character's journey into the abyss is mesmerizing. I think it was made with all, or mostly, new talent and it's a high-quality film.

brilliant movie..captured the era perfectly..great acting and soundtrack..well done.

Although this movie might, in turn, be too oblique or bleak for some, it is non the less a very impressive film, wonderfully acted directed and written.

A beautiful fim to watch, both in terms of the clean and sharp cinematography and the compelling story of a troubled and sensitive man. Ian Curtis is portrayed with compassion and admiration. Sam Riley is amazing; he actually sang all the songs and managed to emulate his dancing style convincingly. I was particularly moved by the scenes where he was having a seizure as I know someone with epilepsy and felt he did not overact the scenes as I have often seen in films. I was not a huge fan of Joy Division but am now.

Bit slow at the start but was a great movie. Watched it twice and could watch it again.