Control is far and away the better of the two 2007 films about Ian Curtis, eulogised lead singer of Joy Division, who killed himself at 23. Based on the memoir by Deborah Curtis, Ian Curtis wife, the film covers the singer’s troubled teenage years to his death. It moves away from the glamorous portrayals of most music biopics and brings to the screen the moving story of a young man struggling with epilepsy, emotional problems and talent and celebrity too great for him to handle.
Though melancholy in mood and music, the film is shot through with dry humour in a tight screenplay by Matt Greenhalgh its not quite the tough experience you might expect. Sam Riley (Ian Curtis) and Samantha Morton (Deborah Curtis) steal the acting honours. Morton is an excellent actress so a strong performance was expected, but newcomer Riley surprised the critics and won plaudits across Europe. His performance is natural and down to earth it draws in the audience to care about Curtis, not just his music. Remarkably Riley performs the songs himself.
Control is Corbijn’s first feature film. He chose a subject close to his heart as a photographer he worked with the band and some of the iconic archive shots of Curtis and Joy Division are his. Corbijn chose to film in black and white and the eye of a still photographer is evident in the framing of shots. But Control doesn’t just look and sound good, the restrained touch of the direction is effective. The film should stay with you long after watching, whether you’re a Joy Division fan or not.
There is melancholy in it, but also a roar of energy. I thought it might depress me. Instead I left the cinema walking on air. Peter Bradshaw, The Guardian
Corbijn’s economic style is rooted in the European auteur tradition, favouring cool understatement over the ripe melodrama seen in most rock biopics. Steve Dalton, The Times
The extraordinary achievement of Control is that it works simultaneously as a musical biopic and the story of a life The movie is quietly, superbly photographed and acted. Roger Ebert, Chicago Sun-Times
