Control (2007)

Director:

Anton Corbijn

Writers:

Deborah Curtis (autobiography "Touching from a Distance")
Matt Greenhalgh (writer)

Release Date:

12 September 2007 (Belgium)

Genre:

Biography | Drama | Music

Plot:

A profile of Ian Curtis, the enigmatic singer of Joy Division whose personal, professional, and romantic troubles led him to commit suicide at the age of 23.

Plot Keywords:

England | 1970s | New Wave Music | Singer | Directorial Debut

Awards:

Nominated for 2 BAFTA Film Awards. Another 24 wins & 16 nominations

Cast

Samantha Morton	...	Deborah Curtis
Sam Riley	...	Ian Curtis
Alexandra Maria Lara	...	Annik Honoré
Joe Anderson	...	Peter Hook
Toby Kebbell	...	Rob Gretton
Craig Parkinson	...	Tony Wilson
James Anthony Pearson	...	Bernard Sumner
Harry Treadaway	...	Stephen Morris
Andrew Sheridan	...	Terry Mason
Robert Shelly	...	Twinny
Matthew McNulty	...	Nick Jackson
Ben Naylor	...	Martin Hannett
rest of cast listed alphabetically:
Herbert Grönemeyer	...	Public GP
Nigel Harris	...	Tramp
Nicola Harrison	...	Corrine Lewis
Tim Plester	...	Earnest Richards

MPAA:

Rated R for language and brief sexuality.

Runtime:

122 min

Country:

UK | USA | Australia | Japan

Language:

English

Color:

Black and White

Aspect Ratio:

2.35 : 1

Sound Mix:

Dolby Digital

Certification:

Sweden:7 | Australia:MA | Portugal:M/16 | Singapore:M18 | Germany:12 | Netherlands:6 | Finland:K-13 | France:Unrated | Ireland:15A | Canada:14A | Japan:PG-12 | USA:R

Filming Locations:

Macclesfield, Cheshire, England, UK

Company:

Becker Films

Trivia:

After the exhausting filming of Boot, Das (1981) German pop star Herbert Grönemeyer swore he'd never act in a movie again. He made an exception for his good friend Anton Corbijn and appeared in this movie, though.

Movie Connections:

References The Sound of Music (1965)

Soundtrack:

The Jean Genie

Surprised that it was so good

I read the reviews of this film and decided it was worth a punt. I have to say that although I was in Manchester during the 1970s I was not a fan of Punk music. This film is beautifully made - almost like a 1950/60s kitchen sink film of the gritty north (there are worse places than Macclesfield, believe me!). I don't know Joy Divsion's work but the acting in this film by the major players was excellent. Sam Riley as Curtis is very very good as is Samantha Morton as his downtrodden wife. I thought the guy who played the manager was a bit OTT. What a shame that Tony Wilson died before this was released. My reaction to it was much like the one I had to Trainspotting. I was convinced that I wouldn't like it but came away feeling that this was a very important film. Even if you don't know Punk music or Joy Division - go along. Well worth it.