Anton Corbijn's "Control" is a black and white biopic focusing on the life of the late Ian Curtis, lead singer of the post-punk band Joy Division. The screenplay is based on the book "Touching from a Distance," written by the frontman's wife Deborah Curtis, who also co-produced the film.
"Control" opens in 1974 in Macclesfield, a small town in Cheshire, England where Curtis (played by Sam Riley) meets Debbie Woodruff (Samantha Morton) who is dating Curtis' best friend. Debbie is drawn towards Curtis' interest in poetry, and the soon move in together and marry. Quickly thereafter, Debbie reveals that she is pregnant with Ian's child. In 1976, the newlyweds attend a Sex Pistols show, where Curtis meets members of the band Stiff Kittens. Curtis' self-recruitment as their new vocalist marks the band's transformation under their briefly held moniker, Warsaw.
During this period, Curtis works as a civil servant at the employment exchange in Macclesfield. Luckily, he is given the opportunity to record a demo EP entitled "An Ideal for Living" under the band's new name, Joy Division. They forcefully catch the attention of Tony Wilson, a local music mogul who agrees to put them on his rock television show, "So It Goes," where they perform "Transmission." The band's successful performance eventually leads to Wilson signing a record contract with the band, which Wilson himself signed in his own blood.
The title of the film is a reference to the song "She's Lost Control," which was inspired by Curtis' interaction at the local employment exchange with a girl who suffered from epilepsy. This event foreshadows Curtis' coming to realize that he too suffers from the same condition. Curtis' learning of his volatile condition in addition to the new-found success of his band marks the beginning of his progressive descent into a self-destructive emotional state.
Curtis loses control due to various obligations that pull him in different directions. The singer's mental and physical deterioration become more and more persistent with the growing success of Joy Division, eventually causing his complete breakdown and eventual suicide. In 1980, Curtis hanged himself, leaving behind his wife and daughter.
Academy Award-nominated Morton is wonderful in the role of Debbie, and Riley offers a captivating performance that offers a sense of venerable depth and humanity in his role as Curtis. At times, it is almost frightening how well Riley embodies Curtis' persona and spirit. He has the looks and the voice - all live music scenes were performed by the actors themselves - that offers a convincing portrayal of Curtis both on- and off-stage.
"Control" is wonderfully shot in black and white that provides the audience with a quality of sparseness that complements Joy Division's characteristic sound. Corbijn proves himself a capable filmmaker in his directorial debut.
A self-proclaimed devout fan of Joy Division since the band's emergence into the limelight, Corbijn succeeds in capturing the group in a complete and honest light. He provides an interesting and satisfying take on a band that is often passed over due to its short tenure as the leader of the post-punk movement of late 1970s England.
