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“The past is now part of my future and the present is well out of control.”

Anton Corbijn sets the bar pretty high for himself with his directorial debut Control, leaving behind the music video world for a beautifully photographed film that details the life of Ian Curtis and Joy Division.  The time-frame covered in the film is a scant 7 years, but time enough for the band’s quick rise to fame and Curtis’ tragic suicide to be detailed in a quiet, melancholic manner that’s never exploitative, but more matter of fact and deadpan.  Drawn from the memoirs of Curtis’ widow, the film feels like an even handed portrayal of the band and the personal lives that surround it.

The story opens in Macclesfield, England in 1973, showing Ian (Sam Riley) first meeting his future wife Debbie (Samantha Morton) while she’s dating a friend of his, but he soon makes her his own.  Moments early in the film hint at Ian’s school days, foreshadowing to the future epilepsy that will haunt him, and some early dabbling with prescription drugs. The whirlwind courtship between he and Debbie sees those two married quite young, and Ian finds work in an employment office.

Influenced by both David Bowie and The Sex Pistols, Ian jumps at the chance to sing in a band being formed by his friends Bernard Sumner (James Anthony Pearson), Peter Hook (Joe Anderson) and Stephen Morris (Harry Treadaway) and Joy Division is born.  Or actually a band called Warsaw; they adopt the name Joy Division at the time they first hit the studio to record an EP.

The rapid rise to fame includes picking up new manager Rob Gretton (played by a delightfully dead-pan Toby Kebbel), being featured on Factory Record’s owner Tony Wilson’s (Craig Parkinson) television program, and eventually signing to Factory Records for their first official release.  The contract with Factory was signed in Wilson’s blood, a nice touch, even though I’ve read that this is merely a rumor, it makes for a nice urban legend doesn’t it?

Shortly after they signed to Factory Records, Ian is diagnosed with epilepsy, and that and his already strained relationship with Debbie begins to take a toll on him.  The financial struggles force Debbie to take a job in a pub to help make ends meet, further depressing Ian who doesn’t seem to be able to provide for his family.  He takes a lover; a fan/journalist named Annik from Belgium, and seems to find some happiness on the road with her.  The film paints his relationship at home to be strained; Ian seems trapped into a sense of responsibility to his family, but clearly loves two women.

I’d only been familiar with the music of the band, never really knew much of the back story except for what 24 Hour Party People told me, so this film was quite the revelation as far as behind the scenes info goes.  It’s worth noting that the actors portraying the band all perform live in the film. This adds a more credible element to the performances and makes Riley’s portrayal of Curtis all the more interesting to watch as he easily slides into the slightly awkward and spastic gesticulations characteristic of the man himself.

Shot in a crisp black and white, it captures an interesting time in the musical world, and paints a great portrait of the shy young man who accomplished so much in a short time, only to take his own life when it all became too much for him to bear.

The Control DVD is loaded with information about the film, including a commentary by director Anton Corbijn, who gives very specific behind the scenes information, although his dulcet tones may lull you into a slumber if you aren’t careful.  Other features include a ‘making of’ feature, and a conversation with Corbijn in which he reveals his connections to the band, a still gallery, extended live musical performances from the film, 3 music videos and 2 theatrical trailers.

This is a great film, and well worth a look for fans of the band or just musical history in general.  Pick this up.

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