Fine film, bit of a whitewash though
Added 10/1/2009
I remember first hearing Ian Curtis' haunting, gloomily dictatorial croon in the 2001 semi classic "Donnie Darko" and as a kid listening to Nine Inch Nails' version of "Dead Souls" on "The Crow" soundtrack. They struck me, and still do, as one of the darkest bands I have ever heard--move over, all you candya** contemporary posers like Manson or Evanescence. One might even say that they went full circle with the lyrics of insanity, impending doom, etc with Curtis' absurdly early demise. They were the real thing.
Anton Corbjin's "Control" is not so much about the band Joy Divison itself as Curtis' life. Shot in a sort of sepia black and white style typical of his photography, a minimalist approach to this enigmatic and ultra tragic figure is employed to maximum effect. Inspired by Deborah Curtis's "Touching From A Distance", a biopic on her tumultuous relationship with Curtis, I couldn't but feel that some of the uglier aspects of Curtis' personality--and the very real possibility that he faked his epilepsy--were glossed over. We don't see much of the monstrous behavior Curtis would often display, like dumping a Bloody Mary on his wife's head for dancing with a friend at their wedding, or nearly kicking in Tony Wilson's door (the scene makes his verbal assault on the legendary music producer seem "cool") when he didn't get his way.
Don't get me wrong, this is a fine film and illustrates well how Curtis' infidelity and non-communicativeness, worlds apart seemingly from everyone else, may have led to his tragic demise. It is also a fantastic portrayal of the post industrial punk scene of that time. But I can't help wondering if there was something else going on besides these things. Ian Curtis was a person who did not want help. Deborah Curtis suggested he see a psychologist on numerous occasions and he absolutely refused to do so.
The film illustrates some very real possibilities, but I doubt that the final book or film on Curtis has been written or made. That said, this is a nearly great film everyone who has any interest a classic band and a sad musical figure should see.
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Ian Curtis Movie not a Joy Division movie.
Added 9/24/2009
First and most important, this movie is about Ian Curtis, not about the band itself. Anyone going into this movie who wants to see the best bio on Joy Division will be disappointed. The director himself says this is about Ian's life, his troubles etc...
Second it is a beautiful movie, what I loved about it is you really get a sense of what Ian was going through, you can feel it. The lyrics in his songs make so much sense and bring new meaning to the songs based on what he was going through in life. One conception I always had about Joy Division that was squashed in this movie is the fact I was always pissed Ian took his own life. His music was so good, timeless, and brillant. After seeing this film I doubt, even if he would have not killed himself he would have continued. Joy Division would not have survived.
Again this is a wonderful movie about a troubled man and one of the most important figures in rock. Any TRUE Joy Division fan will enjoy this movie which is entirely in black and white.
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'A cloud hangs over me, marks every move, deep in the memory of what once was love'.
Added 9/21/2009
I remember when I first saw this in the Corner House in Manchester, THE place to watch this movie for obvious reasons. I was not into Joy Division at the time, but this movie, and the lyrics in the songs sent shivers through my soul. I have since watched the film several more times and cannot get enough of it. The emotion and the bleakness of life in Manchester in the late 70's is portrayed excellently, and Sam Riley puts EVERYTHING into his performance and he was cast perfectly by Corbijn.
A must see for anyone with intelligence, and a passion for art, and the beauty and darkness of life and the 'human condition'. Who says young people can't be depressed?
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Artsy, Stark, and Compelling
Added 9/3/2009
Who the bleep is "Joy Division". You know what, they were pretty damn good in their time (1979-80). And the band that re-enacts them in the movie, and does it for real, in live performances, is as good as the original, no kidding. It's a shame this band never made it to America. The flight was booked, they were ready to go. But something really nasty happened. That may sound like a familiar rock & roll tune, but I thought this film was particularly well done, with a sense of realism and fine performances.
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A fine film for those who understand the legend that is Ian Curtis and Joy Division.
Added 9/1/2009
I'm reading reviews on this film that have been both positive and negative, but agree with the many that have written that you must be a fan of the group, and understand a little about Ian's motivations and problems to get the most from it. Coupled with that, you must also understand the time and the place. If you don't, it is unlikely that you will be able to comprehend what all the fuss is about, let alone write a fair review for this film. I have read several books on the group, and have also read Deborah Curtis's account in her book `Touching from a distance.' My interest in the group also reached into my own musical performances. The band I was drummer for would always kick of every gig with a rendition of `No Love lost.'
`Control' is a look at the short, brilliant life of Ian Curtis from the years 1973 to 1980. At that time there was a major depression in the UK, particularly in the North of England. At this time it was not unusual for youngsters to have major angst and a feeling of despair with the state of the nation. This film shows that those feelings were often twinned with a glimmer of hope of breaking free of it. This picture is a look at all of those things. Coupled with a tragic end for Curtis, and a new, albeit uncertain beginning for the surviving members (who went on to form New Order.) Ironically New Order went on to be more successful, which makes this story even more incredible, given Curtis's obvious genius.
The film is shot in Black and White mainly because most of the Joy Division photography from the time was shot in Black and White (A smart move by Corbjin). The actors play most of the music as a group in this film and I'm not sure if it's ever been done as successfully as it's done here. They actually gel pretty well, and its very impressive considering they only rehearsed for a few weeks.
The acting is very believable. Sam Riley as Ian Curtis is quite literally mind-blowing. Riley's performance carries the film as the troubled, epileptic, genius singer-songwriter, of an up and coming band. Torn between his obligations as a husband and father, and his quest to be the quintessential rock and roll star. Samantha Morton fills the role of Deborah superbly. She plays Ian's young wife and mother to newly born Natalie. She is the most humane character of the film, and is consistently and intensely worried about Ian's state of mind throughout.
Other great performances come from Toby Kebbell as Rob Gretton (Joy Division's spirited and dynamic manager.) and Joe Anderson as Peter Hook. In fact Anderson does a perfect impersonation of Hooky both physically and verbally, he also gets to be the hard- case of the group, especially when a fight breaks out because of Ian's refusal to go on stage. These characters also provide some humor, which serves to allow some light in, despite the darkness of the film.
For me, the films end evoked deep emotion because of the fact that Ian was so young when he passed. However at the same time, it made me smile, because Joy Division's legacy is all around us. They really put the Manchester music scene on the map and paved the way for the likes of The Happy Mondays, The Stone Roses, Oasis, and many others. He also influenced Moby, and The Killers. With that said Ian's death was a tragedy of a young man who could not cope, but what we can be thankful for from his life and his unfortunate death is the wonderful catalogue of music he left behind in such a short career and the many who he influenced and still influences today. Thank-you Ian.
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