Culturegeeks

Believe all the hype: Anton Corbijn’s indie biopic about Ian Curtis is amazing. And then some. Here’s why I loved Control so much:

1. It’s not a nostalgia trip. Control does an artful job of rendering Curtis and his bandmates as vibrant young blokes, but never paints the post-punk scene in drippy nostalgia or glam. You would never pine for the Manchester of Control, nor would you ever long for the turbulent world that contributed to the unraveling of Curtis.

2. It doesn’t mythologize Curtis. Biopics trade in so much bullshit pop psychology – it’s refreshing to see one without it. I left the theater feeling compassion for Curtis because he was a young kid who couldn’t reconcile his choices, who was battling an erratic and debilitating medical condition, and who was careening between elation and misery. He was an asshole to his wife and the film holds him accountable for it even while it generates sympathy for his conscience. Guess what? Ian Curtis was a mess of a bummed out human being without very many coping skills. But he was also a gifted songwriter, with a velvet voice and a magnetic stage presence. Did I learn anything new or enlightening about his life? Nope. Was his life artfully rendered? Yep. So much so, I felt enriched and challenged by it. I’m so relieved that there was no cautionary tale about fame and the rock ‘n roll lifestyle in this film.

3. The actors act the hell out of their roles and play the piss out of Joy Division songs. Sam Riley gives a hyperbole-inspiring performance. The supporting cast is awesome. Samantha Morton gives a three dimensional performance in the one dimensional role of the suffering wife. The actors actually play all if the songs performed in the film. This might cause some fans to worry, but they actually pull it off. Not because they’re doing it perfectly, but because they’re giving these songs so much freakin’ life. We’re so detached from the actual performance and lived existence of Joy Division that it’s remarkable to see these songs in fresh new ways. Control rocks out!

4. It’s one of the most beautiful films I’ve ever seen. The cinematography is gorgeous and textured. I felt like I was watching a velvet film.

5. Because any film that makes an inside joke about The Fall deserves a medal for radness.