Control (Anton Corbijn, 2007)

I have never been the biggest fan of Joy Division. Before I blew out the candle on my very first birthday cake Ian Curtis was no more. I understood them as a band with a far reaching influence, one of those bands who changed things, but with the exception of Love Will Tear Us Apart I have never really listened to them.

I did want to see Control (2007, Dir: Anton Corbijn) though. I do like a bit a gritty realism in a cinematic experience. Plus the pure beauty of Sam Riley proved something of a draw. Superficial? Moi?

The thing that struck me most about it was how much I wanted to go and listen to the music, and get to know it. I think the film makes an assumption about the audience knowing it fairly well, and doesn't actually give it that much time, apart from a couple of scenes at live shows. It is far more interested in Curtis' life and struggles.

Obviously with Anton Corbijn as the director the look of the film is just impeccable and there are beautiful scenes like a long shot of Riley smoking in a car that was quite reminiscent of a car scene in A Bout de Souffle that are aesthetically rather than plot driven. The period touches and the look and feel of the film really nail the era and the mundanity and oppressive atmosphere.

Samantha Morton is a thirty-two year old woman, and while I think she is a great actress I'm not sure she totally carried off playing a 19 year old. She seemed more like a little girl than a teenager. But boy she can do anger and upset! And the scene after she discovers his body is incredibly moving.

Alexandra Maria Lara is gloriously beautiful and quirky and I really liked her in The Baader Meinhof Complex. There is something wonderful about watching a couple on screen when they are falling in love in real life. Sentimental of me, I know, but there you are! Their chemistry is so insane.

I don't think it is a faultless film, but the acting and the look of the film are definitely enough to recommend it.