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Control Reviews

2007

70
from 31,341 members

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. Read more

Starring	Sam Riley, Samantha Morton, Craig Parkinson
Director	Anton Corbijn
Genres	Drama

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Critic's review of Control
View all critics' reviews (6)
- As touching a biopic as you'll see all year[...]Riley and the band excel, as Corbijn essays a mood both timeless and period-precise.
- 258762
- - Total Film
  - 28 Mar 2012 at 03:34
Write your own review »
Most helpful member's review of Control
View all members' reviews (398)
- - 57
  - 4
  Let's Dance to Joy Division!
  
  I've just seen Control!
  
  After the joke that was 24 Hour Party People I was only cautiously enthusiastic that somebody else was having another go ... read more »
  
  Report this review
- 483934
- [Highly rated reviewer]
  - Monophobia
  - 6 reviews
  - Aylesbury
  - 11 Oct 2007 at 00:05
Most recent members' reviews of Control
View all members' reviews (398)
- - 0
  - 0
  Ace Film !!
  
  Absolutely brilliant biopic, of the great Ian Curtis. thought it captured the mood of the time, and the music perfectly,LOVED IT !!!!!
  
  Report this review
- 1118683
- - Thrashman
  - 1 review
  - 12 May 2012 at 23:08
- - 0
  - 0
  Watch it!
  
  An amazing film a must see for any joy division fan. Very moving and emotional performance from Sam Riley. The best biopic iv ever seen.
  
  Report this review
- 1081627
- - a customer
  - 14 Jan 2012 at 00:23
- - 1
  - 0
  As described - an excellent biopic
  
  Before watching this film, it struck me how many ways they could get this film wrong - pandering to his wife (who co-wrote the script), unconvincing acting and... read more »
  
  Report this review
- 1076340
- - MagicLemur
  - 46 reviews
  - Banbury
  - 27 Dec 2011 at 23:54
- - 0
  - 0
  northern soul
  
  Never really paid much attention to joy division despite us having two of their vinyls but this film made me want to dust them off. Thought Sam Riley did a good... read more »
  
  Report this review
- 1075674
- - a customer
  - 23 Dec 2011 at 19:03
- - 0
  - 0
  It's the music that does it
  
  The movie is pretty depressing really, but the music is great. Certainly doesn't put any gloss on his character, but does paint a good picture of the ... read more »
  
  Report this review
- 1056144
- - a customer
  - 28 Oct 2011 at 10:37
- - 0
  - 0
  Joyfully Intense
  
  You don't have to be a fan of Joy Division to appreciate this masterpiece of cinematography. Probably one of the best music biopics I've ever seen. It&#... read more »
  
  Report this review
- 1045453
- - Glen1
  - 3 reviews
  - Ipswich
  - 27 Sep 2011 at 15:53
- - 0
  - 0
  dull but dont regret watching it
  
  THIS REVIEW CONTAINS SPOILERS | Show review anywayHide
  
  Although I am glad I now know the story of Ian Curtis I couldn't help getting easily distracted and wishing the film would hurry up. I found it very slow ... read more »
  
  Report this review
- 1031663
- - PunkPixie
  - 10 reviews
  - 20 Aug 2011 at 19:13
- - 2
  - 0
  What a joy (division)
  
  I really enjoyed this, being a fan of this genre of music, and of New Order / Joy Division, too. The main characters are brilliantly portrayed by the actors, ... read more »
  
  Report this review
- 1008957
- - Barnseytheclaret
  - 180 reviews
  - Sheffield
  - 23 Jun 2011 at 21:19
- - 3
  - 0
  A great insight
  
  I knew nothing about Ian Curtis and not much about Joy Division (apart from their songs) before watching this film, but thoroughly enjoyed it.
  
  It was... read more »
  
  Report this review
- 1001690
- - a customer
  - 07 Jun 2011 at 15:49
- - 0
  - 0
  Nice little film
  
  Good film nice to look at, really well directed, well acted, nice soundtrack. good little film nice to pop on on a Fri or Sunday nite. A tiny bit slow in parts ... read more »
  
  Report this review
- 986412
- - a customer
  - 26 Apr 2011 at 17:10
View all members' reviews (398)

- - 57
  - 4
  Let's Dance to Joy Division!
  
  I've just seen Control!
  
  After the joke that was 24 Hour Party People I was only cautiously enthusiastic that somebody else was having another go ... read more »
  
  Report this review
- 483934
- [Highly rated reviewer]
  - Monophobia
  - 6 reviews
  - Aylesbury
  - 11 Oct 2007 at 00:05
- - 49
  - 4
  irreverent failure
  
  Anton Corbin has made some great music vids, but like most successful ' artists' of the modern age, he must have as much talent at marketing himself as ... read more »
  
  Report this review
- 530074
- - cpezc
  - 13 reviews
  - Hastings
  - 23 Feb 2008 at 12:42
- - 41
  - 1
  Protentious, arty & up its own arse
  
  Perhaps you have to be a die hard Joy Division fan to really enjoy this film. I'm not, and I didn't particularly enjoy it.
  
  Directed by Anton... read more »
  
  Report this review
- 529339
- - wrongsideof30
  - 15 reviews
  - Sheffield
  - 21 Feb 2008 at 13:56
- - 18
  - 3
  Kerrrappp!
  
  If you are not a fan of Joy Division then its doubtful you will be entertained by this dreary monochrome tale of a miserable Macclesfield existence. The story ... read more »
  
  Report this review
- 528892
- - a customer
  - Cambs, UK
  - 20 Feb 2008 at 13:40
- - 15
  - 0
  The guy in front asked if I could stop tapping my knee against the back of his chair
  
  Most reviews (above) are close enough, although there are a couple of great scenes by Anton Corbijn wonderfully complimented by joy division tracks, most ... read more »
  
  Report this review
- 486065
- - a customer
  - Glasgow
  - 19 Oct 2007 at 02:29
- - 13
  - 0
  captivating
  
  I am going to keep this short and sweet.Filmed in black and white for atmosphere .A tragic story of a genious called Ian Curtis and his band Joy Division.... read more »
  
  Report this review
- 484310
- - mattyladd
  - 22 reviews
  - sutton
  - 12 Oct 2007 at 12:35
- - 13
  - 0
  Outstanding!
  
  I watched this at the cinema with a friend, neither of us big Joy Division fans. As we left the cinema we both agreed that this is one of the best films either... read more »
  
  Report this review
- 484642
- - 4Tell
  - 147 reviews
  - Edgbaston
  - 14 Oct 2007 at 08:59
- - 9
  - 0
  despite the brilliance... the dark won in the end....
  
  Who else could paint a picture of this troubled musical icon but Anton Corbijn, and literally paint the picture he does. This is a genuine work of art of a ... read more »
  
  Report this review
- 483843
- - a customer
  - Mossley, Lancs.
  - 10 Oct 2007 at 15:08
- - 9
  - 0
  Too Much Atmosphere?
  
  A beautifully shot piece of cinema - filmed entirely in bleak monochrome - and depicting a thoroughly damp and miserable late 70s Macclesfield/Manchester. ... read more »
  
  Report this review
- 528684
- - Rhodship
  - 2 reviews
  - Edinburgh
  - 19 Feb 2008 at 23:53
- - 9
  - 0
  A bit disappointing
  
  Unfortunately only good if you're old enough to remember the music the first time round
  
  Report this review
- 540806
- - Strachers
  - 2 reviews
  - Epsom
  - 16 Mar 2008 at 19:04

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Critics' reviews
- As touching a biopic as you'll see all year[...]Riley and the band excel, as Corbijn essays a mood both timeless and period-precise.
- 258762
- - Total Film
  - 28 Mar 2012 at 03:34
- Playing live, the cast vividly recreate the band's jarring guitar sound[...] CONTROL is up there with PERFORMANCE and LAST DAYS.
- 258753
- - Empire
  - 28 Mar 2012 at 03:34
- The actors playing Joy Division perform the music themselves in a spot-on recreation of the band's sound and dynamic.
- 258759
- - Sight and Sound
  - 28 Mar 2012 at 03:34
- Magnificently evokes the intensity and invention of Joy Division.
- 258763
- - Uncut
  - 28 Mar 2012 at 03:34
- Sends shivers down the spine[...]spellbinding.
- 258755
- - Film Review
  - 28 Mar 2012 at 03:34
- Believe the hype, it's an extraordinary film.
- 258758
- - Q
  - 28 Mar 2012 at 03:34

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- Control - Blu-ray
  
  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....

- - Buy
- Control
  
  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....