Control

Ian Curtis was 23 years old when he committed suicide on May 18, 1980. However, in his short time as the lead singer and lyricist of Joy Division, Curtis left an indelible mark on the face of music. Control, Anton Corbijn’s first feature film follows the last seven years of Curtis’ short life and the rise of Joy Division as a prolific musical force.

Shot in black and white, Mr. Corbijn’s film is touching - not in the sense that it makes you feel nice and warm…but in it’s very real portrayal of a man plagued by immense creativity and immense darkness. I really enjoyed the film - Mr. Corbijn, having known and photographed Joy Division when they first began, brings a quiet sensitivity to Curtis’ tragic life. Sam Riley (above, left) plays Curtis in such a captivating manner - you can’t get him out of your brain, even when the movie ends. The film, like Joy Division’s music, lingers with you long after it’s finished.

For a more extensive review, read A.O. Scott’s NYT article here.

At the end of the film, a man in front of me was literally weeping. That’s power in film.