A few days ago, I went to our local art-house (Athens Ciné) and caught Anton Corbijn's "Control" on big screen. I'm still awed by the performance of the lead actors, Sam Riley (as Ian Curtis) and Samantha Morton (as Debbie Curtis). Riley in particular does an excellent job in portraying Curtis from a Bowie fan, stolen pill-popping teenager to married man to rock star, his struggles with fame, family life and fits of epilepsy. His natural was just amazing. All the live Joy Division songs of the movie were actually performed by the actors: commendable choice that made the experience even more enjoyable. The image was also splendid, Corbijn did well to shoot in color before a transfer to black and white. The last shot of the black smoke coming out of the crematorium was a perfect ending.
Of course, it was a bit difficult not to compare the movie to "24 hour party people", which also partly describes the period Warsaw-Joy Division: same period, same characters, same anecdotes. There was even a cross-reference: in "Control", in a scene taking place after the Bury gig riot, Tony Wilson tries to cheer-up Curtis by telling him that after all, he's not the band leader of the Fall: Riley played Mark E. Smith in "24 hour party people". The respective goals of the two films were quite different, "Control" focusing on Curtis, when "24 hour party people" dealt with Factory Records. Both are great movies, "Control" is more subdued and feels deeper emotionally.
On a personal note I wonder whether the hypnosis scene was really necessary. And Alexandra Maria Lara, who plays Annick, the Belgian mistress, really reminded me of an old flame of mine, which was a bit melancholy. But you probably don't care, and that's quite OK with me.
(Photo (C) by Dean Rogers)
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