Control

Before watching this I was told one piece of information, the director, Anton Corbijn was a photographer who shoots in black and white, knowing this I started to notice shots that looked like pictures and my god it works so well. Corbijn’s use of black and white adds an extra layer of depression to this film that not only represents Ian Curtis’ own suffering but the dead end town of Macclesfield where the film primarily takes place. The Acting in this is brilliant, Sam Riley is fantastic as Curtis from the very beginning and the supporting cast are also excellent as well. Some of them even went as far as to learn how to play certain instruments and it’s evident that they actually played. Speaking of the music, rather than focussing on how the music came to be, it focuses on the effect the music has on Curtis and how fame can take its toll on a person, and Riley nails the depression and regret that Curtis himself went through as the being the frontman of Joy Division. The ending is truly harrowing and knowing that it is coming makes it even sadder, Corbijn constantly alludes to it throughout in a subtle yet not so subtle manner. Overall, this is nothing like Rocketman or Bohemian Rhapsody in that it’s not a big budget blockbuster, this is a passion project from a man that actually know Curtis and wanted to tell his tragic story. I would highly recommend this to anyone that is interested.