Control

The focal point of Control is the narrative of Ian Curtis (portrayed by Sam Riley), the troubled frontman and songwriter of the late-'70s music group Joy Division. Curtis, along with his bandmates Peter Hook (Joe Anderson), Bernard Sumner (James Anthony Pearson), and Stephen Morris (Harry Treadway), formed Joy Division (initially known as Warsaw) in late 1977. The band's brief existence came to an end in 1980 when Curtis, only 23 years old at the time, tragically took his own life in the kitchen of his estranged wife, Deborah (Samantha Morton).

Based on Deborah Curtis' book, "Touching from a Distance," which chronicles her life with Curtis, Control delves into their relationship. They met and married as teenagers, endured a tumultuous marriage marked by Curtis's ongoing battle with epilepsy and his affair with a Belgian writer, Annik (Alexandra Maria Lara). In the end, Curtis's mounting struggles overwhelmed him, and he chose a hasty escape. However, as often seen with musicians who meet such a tragic end, the work of Joy Division has outlived its creator.

Director Corbijn's objective with Control is to infuse Curtis's growing panic into the fabric of the film. He aims to drive the story as much through style as through narrative. The use of black-and-white visuals is immensely effective, and the frequent incorporation of Joy Division's music, combined with long, uninterrupted shots featuring minimal dialogue, adds to the overall impact. Watching conversations where people speak to Curtis but are ignored as he stares off into space is disconcerting.

The acting in Control is unparalleled. Sam Riley eerily embodies Curtis, meticulously capturing his demeanor and mannerisms; wearing special contact lenses to replicate the singer's eyes brings Curtis to life thirty years after his untimely death. Riley even provides Curtis's vocals in all the on-screen Joy Division performances, delivering a voice that, while not an exact replica, bears a striking resemblance.

Meanwhile, Samantha Morton, a versatile actress who adapts herself to fit each role, is nearly unrecognizable in her early scenes. She portrays the film's most sympathetic character – the woman whose life is most visibly affected by the collateral damage resulting from her somber and uncommunicative husband's emotional implosion.

Release: 2007

Stars: Sam Riley, Samantha Morton, Craig Parkinson

Rotten Tomatoes Score: 88%