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Control
Control
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Control

Control

2007
Drama, Biography
2h 2m
A profile of Ian Curtis (Riley), the enigmatic singer of Joy Division whose personal, professional, and romantic troubles led him to commit suicide at the age of 23. (imdb)

Control

2007
Drama, Biography
2h 2m
Your probable score
Avg Percentile 62.72% from 1896 total ratings

Ratings & Reviews

(1910)
Compact view
Compact view
Rated 14 Sep 2012
75
70th
Pretty entertaining for a biography about a singer that didn't show much sign of life on stage, except when he was having a seizure. This review went south quick.
Rated 06 Jul 2008
81
68th
Riley, for all intents and purposes, IS Curtis. The resemblance is startling, and the performance is ALMOST as good. Corbijn's directing, so you know it's going to look great (it does), and you can't beat a soundtrack with this kind of source material. But I still found it a little lacking in some areas. The portrayal of Curtis just wasn't sympathetic enough; instead, I felt terrible for his wife. So you're left with just as many questions about him, and his last days, as you had coming in.
Rated 11 Jun 2008
88
83rd
By about the scene where Ian's son is born, and he heads outside to have a smoke, looking like a broken man, I was a believer in Sam Riley. It's a convincing performance, as far as I'm concerned. Nice job, Mr. Corbijn.
Rated 14 Mar 2008
70
84th
Control stays intentionally subtle for most of the part filling the emotional justification with the songs themselves.
Rated 30 Nov 2012
80
53rd
A great, in-depth look into a strange man's life. The black and white photography is beautiful and fitting and Riley's performance as Ian Curtis is spot on. My main issue lies in the fact that, as a biopic on Curtis who was a disturbed and cruel man, it is not as psychologically involving or critical as it should be. What could've been a de-romanticization of rock stardom ended up honoring Curtis for his choices. Oh well, still a very well done film.
Rated 21 Apr 2012
75
83rd
A great performance by Sam Riley and some wonderful photography. However, as devastating as the story itself is, the movie as a whole falls flat. But the performances were amazing, a definite must see for every Joy Division fan.
Rated 16 May 2011
90
94th
To whom it may concern: if you didn't get a chance to fall in love with Joy Devision, NOW is the time to set things right.
Rated 01 Sep 2010
96
99th
A non-fan of Joy Division might not find this nearly as good, but for me, this was a spine-tingling experience directed with skill and restraint by Anton Corbijn. A triumph.
Rated 11 Mar 2009
56
29th
Fucking amazing music (obvs) and stark black and white cinematography (every shot looks like an iconic album cover) but it takes a while to really get going and can be pretty dull and uninvolving. Sam Riley is incredible throughout though.
Rated 11 Jan 2009
64
23rd
Corbijn's choice of moody, stark black and white photography is highly appropriate. And Riley is a dead ringer for Ian Curtis in looks and mannerisms, if not quite there in his voice. But the proceedings rarely elevate above your standard biopic. I couldn't help thinking of 24 Hour Party People, a far superior movie. Maybe, despite the amazing music he created, Curtis just isn't interesting enough to carry a 2-hour film by himself. I never felt like I was truly getting an inside look at him.
Rated 02 Oct 2008
40
16th
Just a ridiculous piece of shit attempt at important, stylized film making.
Rated 29 Apr 2008
68
36th
It's perfect in many ways, but as a profile of Ian Curtis it falls short. At the end of the movie I felt I had only caught a superficial glimpse of him.
Rated 27 Mar 2008
80
77th
The starkness of the film and his story make the poetry of Ian Curtis stand out all the more. Excellent but dark film.
Rated 07 Mar 2008
88
82nd
Awesome work of Anton Corbijn and his photographical skills definately pay off in this film. Riley does an outstanding job and the songs performed are outstanding. But tought it was a little to easy on Curtis and we didn't got deep enough in his character and his reasons to do what he did.
Rated 26 Jan 2008
75
53rd
26 Ocak 08 - 18:05 & Ian Curtis'in daha cok ask hayatina yer verilmis ve bence hikayeye cok derinlemesine inilmemis.iki kadin ve arada kalan bir insanin yasadiklari.Bir yanda, yukselise gecmis muzigi & grubu ve onlarin getirdigi sorumluluklar, dier yanda epilepsi hastaligi...Genele bakildiginda intihar edilme sebepleri acik olarak verilmemis.Daha somut olmasini beklerdim.Senaryonun bunu goze sokmasini beklemiyorum fakat bu konuda bir eksik var.Muzikler, siyahbeyaz kareler ve Riley cok iyi...
Rated 20 Oct 2007
67
45th
First of all it's too talkative for a biography that doesn't say much about Curtis. Cinematography and narrational choices are really good but that's not enough.
Rated 24 Jul 2023
40
38th
My ENTIRE knowledge of Joy Division is Manchester United's Ryan Giggs chant. That's it. So, unless you have a deep affinity for the band's music and the sad ending, then there isn't much in this film to latch onto.
Rated 26 Nov 2022
96
86th
Some of my science and philosophy teachers had a motto: "teach the mystery." That is, for most of the really big questions, there is no simple tangible answer that will make us feel in control. There is only an ongoing mystery that we can obliquely understand. "Control" shows us Ian Curtis as he appeared and does not try to explain. The music and lyrics speak for themselves, as do many of the seemingly erratic statements made by Curtis/Riley in the film.
Rated 13 Jun 2020
81
94th
this be how you do a band flick
Rated 22 Sep 2019
80
79th
Its in black and white, giving it a slightly underground/grunge-y type feel to it (which goes with the style of music played), I suppose, plus it highlights the bleakness of the north, where its set. I certainly felt sorry for Debbie. I'd say the mundanity of their married life is well portrayed. The live sessions featured sounded decent too. Its undoubtedly sad to see what apparently happened, although Ian Curtis was far from a perfect guy but it is a sad story never the less. A decent film.
Rated 26 Aug 2018
40
10th
90% of the film are sleep-inducing, flat and uninspiring. I couldn't wait for it to end.
Rated 21 May 2018
85
90th
Violent more violent
Rated 05 Dec 2017
77
41st
someone pls depict Ian Curtis in a more thorough and realistic way, pls. thanks samantha morton is awesome
Rated 26 Mar 2017
7
68th
but we remeeeeeeeeeeemberrr...
Rated 27 Feb 2017
81
91st
Could be paired with 24 Hour Party People if you needed to turn that frown upside down.
Rated 26 Feb 2017
4
77th
Gåtan Ian Curtis kvarstår. Det är kanske inte helt oväntat, men filmen tillför inte särskilt mycket vad gäller förståelse för denne ikon. Den är tvärtom lite ängslig och det är begripligt eftersom hans närstående är i livet och har skrivit boken filmmanuset bygger på (frun) och är medproducenter (frun igen och Factory's Tony Wilson). Skådespeleriet är hyfsat, men lyfter inte filmen. Filmens foto är dock emellanåt väldigt vackert vilket inte bör förvåna eftersom Corbijn
Rated 14 Jan 2016
71
39th
too much music
Rated 10 Dec 2014
70
58th
Starts off quite clunky in how it handles the source material, but kind of redeems itself by the end. Not as good as the non-fiction stuff.
Rated 03 Dec 2014
80
80th
2nd viewing
Rated 26 Aug 2014
65
51st
Corbjin is a photographer by trade, and an excellent one at that, and has produced a title with fine aesthetics but one that doesn't pierce through the mythology of the band and its human relationships. It could essentially be a feature-length music video. The main positive for me is Annik, played by the excellent Alexandra Maria Lara, who gets a far fairer treatment than in other narratives of the band's history.
Rated 15 Mar 2014
86
86th
Great performance by the actors, especially Sam Reilly as Ian Curtis.
Rated 02 Jan 2014
80
73rd
A glimpse, a peepshow, into Ian Curtis. Attempting to reveal something of such an insular character isn't easy, yet this film, through a brilliant Sam Riley, does just that. A glimpse, but an intimate one.
Rated 30 Oct 2013
31
24th
Striking biopic of depressed Joy Division singer that left me unmoved. Although I was in southern England at the time, and the film was set up north, I thought it utterly failed to capture the mood of the period.
Rated 22 Jul 2013
32
24th
horrible
Rated 04 Jul 2013
30
38th
Good for a crap biopic.
Rated 25 May 2013
54
21st
Although it's moody and atmospheric, with a great cast and excellent performances, Control feels a little dull. It doesn't really seem to get to the core of Ian Curtis as a person - he just seems like a loverat with epilepsy, which is a little reductionist. It doesn't try and explain or clarify who the man was behind the music and the lyrics. The soundtrack is good, and the portions concerning Joy Division are great - it's Ian's personal life which drags it down a lot.
Rated 07 Apr 2013
82
89th
It shows Ian's depressive mood so simple and deep.
Rated 28 Mar 2013
75
56th
Riley and Morton are both great and the film has a tenderness to it I wasn't expecting. Particularly the early scenes of the romancing are very tenderly done really making you believe how swept away they are and how easily they could have made the mistake of marrying so young. The black and white cinematography is stunning making even the darkness of night-time lush and inviting, still it all feels a bit too aloof for its own good and it is unfortunately rather emotionally uninvolving.
Rated 09 Mar 2013
59
33rd
Great score (duh!) and a perfect performance from Riley. The script lacks a personal touch and feels cold though. It's as if there's not really enough material to warrant a film. Listening to Joy Division's two albums is a more entertaining and infomative way to follow Curtis' story.
Rated 18 Sep 2012
73
93rd
dance dance dance dance to the radio
Rated 25 Aug 2012
75
48th
Visually, Control is a really well-made movie and the cast, headed by Sam Riley, is really great. Unfortunately the movie fails to really establish any sort of emotional connection with the characters, meaning that it's not as engaging as it could have been. Solid nonetheless.
Rated 21 Jun 2012
61
16th
Well-crafted biopic with impressive performances from Morton and Riley, although I feel Corbijn's cinematography is too slick for this story, not dirty or grainy enough. And I do feel Curtis as portrayed in 24 Hour Party People was a far more vital character.
Rated 27 Apr 2012
100
91st
Stark black and white, Joy Division and a cruelly bitter story, this film is brilliant.
Rated 17 Feb 2012
65
64th
Disappointed by Corbijn's directing, loved Riley's acting. It's that simple.
Rated 11 Feb 2012
82
79th
Gritty biopic of Ian Curtis, lead singer of Joy Division. Whilst I have some concerns regarding the depiction of Northern England, which appears (according to this film) to have become stuck in a 'Cathy Come Home', 'Kes', 'Billy Elliot' time loop, the film itelf is funny, sad, superbly filmed and acted, (hats off to Riley and Morton) with some great music. A film of this nature is always going to be criticised for content, but what WAS depicted was heart rending and involving. Excellent film
Rated 10 Feb 2012
65
39th
I don't really know much about Joy Division, so I can't really comment on the performances. Not a lot really happened. It felt really empty. I just didn't get into it at all. It was fine, but nothing special.
Rated 19 Dec 2011
68
24th
I was not a familiar with the music of Joy Division before watching this movie. I thought the acting was good particular the lead. But overall I would say it was an average biopic.
Rated 12 Dec 2011
82
67th
Very good film, though the approach to the subject leaves something to be desired. In balancing achievements and troubled emotions it never quite hits the heart of either. As a character study it feels constantly distanced from Curtis, and even a great performance from Riley leaves a few too many holes to fill.
Rated 16 Nov 2011
60
39th
I'm fairly indifferent to Joy Division, I actively dislike biopics, but I love Corbijn, and his feature debut doesn't really disappoint; beautifully shot b/w social realism in the rock'n'roll world.
Rated 09 Nov 2011
7
65th
ian'i canlandiran cocuk keske sarkilari soylemeseymis yazik etmis.
Rated 29 Oct 2011
25
61st
"Far from the fierce social consciousness of Mike Leigh, Control's images, if not its equally arresting performances, suggest a kitchen sink scrubbed clean." - Ed Gonzalez
Rated 16 Oct 2011
80
78th
Top badass moment? Under the circumstances it has to be Sam Riley as Ian Curtis on-stage. 0 cats and 0 decapitations.
Rated 03 Oct 2011
75
52nd
joy division is a great band, and new order is one of my favorites. i somehow feel like the family drama of this movie completely overlooks the story of the band, i wasn't looking for a story about JUST ian curtis, but as it is i guess it was alright...ish.
Rated 18 Aug 2011
80
70th
Fantastic performance from Sam Riley in a nice, depressing and stylish film.
Rated 25 Jul 2011
50
22nd
Watch 24 hour party people instead.
Rated 30 Dec 2010
75
54th
Nice performance by Sam Riley. As the character fell into a depression, you could read the emotion all over Riley's face. I don't think the characters were developed extremely well, even Ian Curtis', but a pretty well-made movie overall.
Rated 17 Dec 2010
83
43rd
If you're not a fan of Joy Division, you probably won't like this movie. Even I didn't like it the first time. Second time, I loved it. Directed by photographer Anton Corbijn who used to know the band
Rated 26 Oct 2010
70
55th
Control is a look at the life of Ian Curtis through a series of gorgeous photographs. The photographs just happen to be moving. It seems that at any moment of Control, you could take a still image of it, and it would make a great photograph at any moment. Now there is a major problem with Control. We never really have a emotional connection with Ian Curtis. But how or weather or not you feel anything about the characters, it won't stop you from being taken away by the visuals.
Rated 11 Oct 2010
50
9th
One of the most pretentiously self-satisfied films I've ever seen. Corbijn seems to think that showing "what really happened" is the height of artistic endeavour. It's even in black and white. Seriously.
Rated 02 Oct 2010
61
29th
Marginally more interesting than a typical Oscarbait biopic, especially visually, but it ultimately fails its attempt to capture the liminality of Curtis, and he doesn't truly show up as a character until the last quarter. At its heart (especially given the source) it's nearly Debbie's movie anyway, and Morton delivers as always, with nice performances from Riley and Kebbell too. Ultimately, it may be that Curtis didn't have enough content in his life to sustain this particular type of focus.
Rated 09 Sep 2010
72
69th
I don't know that there's a lot to be learned as far character study goes. Surprising as far as biographies go but it is a story about a great band, an interesting man (child) and the performances are very effective.
Rated 20 Aug 2010
60
22nd
Ian Curtis remains a mystery to me. Sam Riley acted terrific, but Corbijn directed 'Control' with too much respect for Curtis himself which made this movie flat, lifeless, superficial and dull.
Rated 09 Jun 2010
54
10th
Flat and lifeless. Good music. Good costumes.
Rated 10 May 2010
90
92nd
Perfect in many ways except in-depth view of Ian's personality.
Rated 22 Apr 2010
75
74th
film looks good, lead guy is good, music is obviously good, pretty good stuff
Rated 10 Apr 2010
76
71st
A well-made biopic about Ian Curtis, possibly showing that he wasn't everything he was cracked up to be.
Rated 07 Mar 2010
88
91st
Excellent movie and acting. Sam Riley brings back Ian Curtis in all his glory and despair.
Rated 31 Jan 2010
90
89th
Great movie. Essential for Joy Division fans, but even the ones that never heard of Ian Curtis should watch it. Probably the best biopic ever.
Rated 20 Jan 2010
61
22nd
Just not that good. I only know one Joy Division song, and maybe that didn't help. But surely the film should be accessible to those who don't know the music. It wasn't. I was hoping for a "Walk The Line" type attempt, but it just wasn't there.
Rated 03 Jan 2010
81
83rd
Control seems so personal. Corbijn observes, but not from a distance, you can tell he is part of this world. ... Sam Riley isn't acting, he is the reincarnation of Ian Curtis.
Rated 11 Dec 2009
88
70th
Interesting biopic about Ian Curtis and his band "Joy Division".They coined the Punk Szene in the late 70's, and walked in the footsteps of the sex pistols and other great punk bands. More importantly, "Joy Dívision" created a new sound later known as Dark Wave. Corbijn made a beautiful movie about the live and death of Ian Curtis and show the world one of the greatest bands of the 70's, whose end came much to fast
Rated 07 Nov 2009
65
51st
Curtis comes across as a bit of a dick really. Can't flaw it on a technical level though.
Rated 04 Nov 2009
80
85th
Great cinematography and editing. Acting was very good, as well as the music.
Rated 23 Oct 2009
88
89th
ttsssss..... muy buena!. Viajesote a lo que fue Ian curtis y Joy Division
Rated 20 Oct 2009
90
96th
I just love Joy Division
Rated 09 Oct 2009
90
89th
Really good work of Corbijn...Fine actor`s performing. I love movies about the life of musicians, and this one is the best I have seen for a mounts...
Rated 01 Aug 2009
80
84th
Excellent.
Rated 26 Jul 2009
88
98th
Brilliant. It had to be in black and white off course, since it's such a bleak story. It also enhances the greyness of northern Britain. Alexandra Maria Lara as the Belgian mistress is a breath of fresh air.
Rated 07 Jul 2009
88
80th
Corbijn manages a narrative that is headlong and bracing as the music that fills the film, capturing with urgency the drive and pain of Curtis's life. This is in part because of the keen attention to telling details throughout the film, but also because of an unafraid and unadorned depiction of the ways in which Curtis was effectively stranded by those around him who willfully misunderstood the challenges he faced. Riley is riveting as Curtis, bringing a necessary edginess to every scene.
Rated 04 May 2009
80
78th
Visually stunning, emotionally a bit flat - but what can you expect, considering the subject matter? The live performances are brilliant.
Rated 17 Feb 2009
67
34th
Entertaining, but seemed like it had its head up its own ass sometimes. Watch the documentary for a better experience. This is too sappy.
Rated 31 Dec 2008
82
72nd
When you're looking at life, In a strange new room, Maybe drowning soon, Is this the start of it all?
Rated 29 Dec 2008
85
95th
Very Nice
Rated 25 Nov 2008
70
70th
Not bad this music-movie and again a sad story about a popstar.
Rated 24 Aug 2008
95
73rd
This is a really good film, so insightful I loved it.
Rated 14 Aug 2008
84
83rd
I hadn't even heard of Joy Division before but now I'm interested. Riley is superb and Corbijn's directing is good even outside the music sequences.
Rated 12 Aug 2008
94
98th
Just terrific. Quality grown up film making with acting and plot and so on. Particularly liked the fact that Riley does most (all?) the singing, makes it seem more real that way.
Rated 03 Aug 2008
86
84th
Incredible casting and live performances make this movie stand out. The black and white works well. I question using Deborah Curtis's book as the only source materials because, well, she obviously had good reason to be bitter, but it paints Ian Curtis as someone who just didn't get it. Maybe that's the case. Who knows.
Rated 27 Jul 2008
70
83rd
Sam Riley is compelling as Curtis, especially during the all-too-brief performances of Joy Division's music, which are the film's highlights.
Rated 26 Jul 2008
25
1st
Dreary.
Rated 07 Jul 2008
84
83rd
See this Pete Doherty? This is a real tortured genius. Magnificent performance from Riley.
Rated 06 Jul 2008
90
91st
I really liked this movie a lot. Sam Riley was amazing and not knowing a whole lot about Ian Curtis going in, I found the story to be fascinating and compelling. Really well done.
Rated 29 May 2008
80
95th
Excellent, a fitting tribute.
Rated 10 May 2008
78
56th
One of the best movies about a rock band if not the very best.
Rated 08 May 2008
85
95th
TURUNUN EN IYI ORNEKLERINDEN BIRISI BENCE..SANKI IAN CURTISI IZLEDIGIMI HISSETTIM FILMDE BIR AN..MUTLAKA IZLENILMESI GEREKEN BIR JOY DIVISION HIKAYESI..
Rated 16 Mar 2008
55
26th
Stage-school performance, I have no idea why this guy got so much praise. It was all told in a predictable way. Obviously the story could only have one ending but getting there didn't have to be so unenlightening.
Rated 18 Feb 2008
85
92nd
A must see for Joy Division fans. Sam Riley is really good as Ian Curtis and Corbjin's music video background works well.
Rated 23 Jan 2008
89
93rd
Beautiful and dark biopic of the tragic life of Ian Curtis. LiKED: cinematography, Sam Riley's acting, the music: JD never sounded that good. DiSLiKED: too subtle, gives no real insight in Ian Curtis' mind.
Rated 15 Jan 2008
2
39th
It looks nice, but you never really emphatize with anyone.
Rated 16 Dec 2007
65
49th
dead on criticker damn you foiled again edit: ten points docked after considering the film's weaker points vs. its stronger.

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