Control

Though it starts in 1973, this film takes place in two worlds at once (an almost 1950's-like England and the dawn of the new music scene of the 1980's). It's not the story of a culture clash but more a story of a young man's journey into uncharted musical territory. He knows he wants something more than what his immediate world offers. He hears the call in the records he buys but not until he sees the Sex Pistols perform does he understand the power of that siren. In Control we see Ian Curtis trying to be the traditional 9-5 family man during the day and at night a newly evolving lead singer of a cutting edge band. I am not very familiar with Curtis or Joy Division (shamefully so), so as a blank slate I wasn't making comparisons between the real and the portrayed Curtis. That said, Sam Riley is engrossing as the cinematic Ian Curtis. He nicely moves the man from newbie singer to struggling icon. As his wife, Samantha Morton is terrific. The cinematography is striking throughout the film. The black & white canvas is used to great effect along with stark framing of shots. I loved seeing Ian and Debby huddling in less than half of the screen which was dominated by brick and street. In production choices this film is the antithesis of the colorful, hyper-real 24 Hour Party People which takes place in the same place and time. My only complaint was the sudden use of narration by Ian half way through the film. Up to then the director had simply used visuals, dialog, lyrics and music to offer an inner life (and quite effectively so). Other than that I found this film very compelling and engrossing.
Memorable moment: Debby confronts Ian about his affair.