PIFF Review: Control
Control is a movie about Ian Curtis, lead singer of the British post-punk band Joy Division. While attending high school in Macclesfield, England in the mid-70s Ian met a girl named Debbie Woodruff. They went to a Bowie concert, fell in love, and married soon after. Ian went on to front a band called The Stiff Kittens. They recorded a demo under the name Joy Division and began doing small shows throughout England. After a performance on television, Joy Division signed a record deal with Factory Records. As the band's popularity grew, Ian became less and less committed to his marriage and newborn daughter. He began having epileptic fits, which required him to take several prescriptions a day. While performing in London Ian met a fan named Annik and they began an affair.
Throughout the film, Ian struggles with epilepsy, fame, love, and family. One minute he is ready to leave Debbie for Annik, the next he is begging her not to leave him. Returning from European tours he is unable to connect with his daughter. Performances and studio sessions leave Ian physically and emotionally drained. He occasionally has seizures during performances. He is incapable of meeting his obligations to his daughter, two women, and his band mates. On May 18th, 1980, the eve of Joy Division’s first American tour, Ian Curtis hung himself in his home at the age of 23.
This is the stunning feature film directorial debut of Anton Corbijn. Corbijn has photographed hundreds of bands since the 1970s, including Joy Division. Shot in black and white, and filmed in the actual residence of Ian Curtis, Control personally traces Ian’s short life from obscurity to rock stardom. Based on Debbie Curtis’ book, Touching From a Distance, the film is not about Joy Division so much as it is about the hurtful love triangle between Debbie (Samantha Morton), Ian (Sam Riley), and Annik (Alexandra Maria Lara). Despite the depressing themes, Control boasts a witty dialogue and some memorable points of humor. It is a film that won’t soon be forgotten.
Through Corbijn’s direction and Riley’s uncanny performance, it’s difficult to sympathize or loath Ian Curtis. He is a despondent subject with no redeeming character traits. He’s ill and confused. At times he’s a prick. He performs with an intensity and stage presence that is comparable to no one else in music. With Joy Division he writes songs that would influence the music we still hear today in Depeche Mode, The Cure, and the burgeoning 80’s revival. He’s seemingly young, innocent, and talented, but the fact is he didn’t take care of himself, and left behind a daughter he showed no affection for. It’s unfortunate that Curtis’ life parallels the lives of so many other influential musicians.
And I don’t mean Britney.