ALLAN HUNTER at the Movies

IAN CURTIS took his own life in 1980. He was just 23 and near the beginning of what promised to be a dazzling career as the lead singer and guiding force of Joy Division. His short, tragic life is captured with great flair and poetry in ‘Control’, one of the outstanding British films of the year.

Filmed in moody black and white, ‘Control’ has the feel of a documentary but the bite of a kitchen sink drama as it recreates the life of Curtis from Macclesfield teenager to tortured artist. Newcomer Sam Riley gives an astonishing lead performance  that seems to go beyond impersonation to capture the soul of the man.

Curtis was born to make music but ill-prepared for the intrusive demands of stardom or the terrors of live performances. Riley not only sings but is immensely convincing as he captures the unique style of robotic dance that came to define Curtis the petrified performer.

Samantha Morton is equally impressive as Curtis’s wife Deborah, a woman he clearly loved but that he also betrayed with lover Annik (Alexandra Maria Lara) who stimulated him on an artistic level that the more mundane Deborah could never hope to match.

Director Anton Corbijn photographed Joy Division in the 1970s and his personal connection to Curtis and his band make this a labour of love. It is Corbijn’s first film but he commands the medium with such confidence and style that he could put many established filmmakers to shame.

Whether merely providing a reminder of Joy Division at their best or exploring the illness and inner anguish that burdened Curtis with an abundance of demons, ‘Control’ is an authentic work of art that deserves to be seen.

Selected nationwide release

Director: Anton Corbijn
Stars: Sam Riley, Samantha Morton, Craig Parkinson, Alexandra Maria Lara
Screenwriters: Deborah Curtis, Matt Greenhalgh based on Curtis’ memoir Touching From A Distance
Certificate: 15
Running time:  121 mins
Country: UK
Year: 2007

© Allan Hunter, 2007