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House review of Control (2007)

Why are Joy Division called such? I'd never really thought about it, but I guess everything has a real meaning under the surface. Especially for a band who pip The Smiths to the award for "Most Depressing Band Ever", it seems an odd choice for a name. However, when you discover the reason why they chose this moniker, it kind of opens a window into the mind of Ian Curtis.

For those reading who may not be aware of Ian Curtis, a brief history lesson.

On the 15th July 1956, Ian Kevin Curtis was born in Manchester and grew up in nearby Macclesfield. He never excelled in school and wed his girlfriend Deborah Woodruff in 1975 aged just 19. A year later he met guitarist Bernard Summer and bassist Peter Hook and they formed a local band. Several auditions were held for a drummer and they settled on Stephen Morris. They named themselves Warsaw before changing it to Joy Division due to another band with a similar name. Joy Divison then began gaining a following locally and were signed up by Tony Wilson, founder of Factory Records and credited with the whole 'Madchester' scene of music. Joy Divison got bigger with every show, when tragedy struck them. Curtis, who had struggled throughout his life with epilepsy took his own life by hanging himself. He was just 23.

Anton Corbjin has been associated with Joy Dvision since he began photographing them back when they began and directing their most well-known video "Atmosphere". Because of his obvious love for the band he decided to adapt Deborah Curtis's book "Touching From A Distance", which chronicles their marriage and Ian's death.

But what of the film? Well, to start with, it's in black and white. No wait! Come back, it's still good! To some people, a black and white film is an instant turn-off. I still feel black and white films can do well in cinemas as long as the story is engaging, which is certainly the case here. Sam Riley is an unknown pleasure(!) as Curtis in his debut role, one which must have been daunting for him when filming began. To say he is amazing is an understatement. He completely embodies Curtis. Close your eyes during the clip of him recording "Transmission" and you assume it's Curtis really singing. Imagine for one moment that this film is a documentary. Watch the scene where they perform "Dead Souls" and you'll realise that Riley has the frantic, jerking dancing spot-on. He IS Curtis! Don't forget that the live clips from the film are not the real Joy Division, it's the actors performing.

Samantha Morton, best known for playing the bald woman in Minority Report is also very good in her role as Deborah Curtis. She doesn't have a lot of dialogue, but she reminds me of her performance in "In America", where she is supporting her partner through some very tough times. Toby Kebbell is pretty funny as well, playing the band's first manager.

Generally, this is a very slow film, but this is not a bad thing at all. Completely engrossing for just over two hours I didn't want this to end. Despite knowing how it would finish, I was still very sad when it finally happened. The image of the black smoke emanating from the church as "Atmosphere" plays while the camera slowly pans upwards will stay imprinted in my mind forever.

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Film Rating: 5.6/10 (16 votes cast)

Reviewed by tort
Last updated:

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