Review: Control
I saw this film about Ian Curtis and Joy Division/New Order last night, and while I didn't love it, I can't quite shake it. I hate writing movie reviews, so here's an idea....you write it. Give us your thoughts/reviews via the comment link.
I also now understand Zack's crush on a dead guy.
2 comments:
What makes this movie so great? The first to review this were;
- the British; always get a sense of pride when a movie cames out of
their country.
- The rock/punk crowd: that a movie was made about their genre.
- Joy Division fans: for a movie that revives and honors a
piece of their love.
- Photographers and artists revering Anton Corbijn for
directing this movie.
I'd like to hear an independent review of this film, from someone
detached from all this. would that be fair? or was it made for the
above audience?
My impression: I love it for many different reasons.
- I felt for the main charactor, Ian Curtis.
- the story was told! it wasn't too hollywood so there's a sense of
a documentary style, but then at times I felt it drag on a bit. A
possible combination of my ADD and expectation for something Grande.
- I absolutely loved the tight compositions - Anton really used his space well.
- The color cast and choice of light direction was wonderful. Added to
the feel of the 70's as if filming with an older film camera.
- and a great backdrop. from countryside, to a small urban town.
but before you accuse me of being too analytical.. I did jump in and
let the experience move me.. but also paid attention to these elements
along the way. :D
Joy Division gave birth to my favorite band, New order.
I liked the movie. Not only for the very creative approach of director
Anton Corijn, but for giving me the backstory of a band that's been
with me my entire life. A sad story, but walked away more complete! :D
Not a review but here's my 2 cents:
I can see how the movie would be more difficult to digest for someone who was not a fan of the band. Part of the appeal of the film was the accurate recreation of the live performances. I thought they nailed JD pretty damn well from both a sonic and visual stand point.
Music aside, I thought the film did a disturbingly good job of portraying mental breakdown and the guilt Ian felt as he became a different person and slowly drifted away from his wife. After seeing it a second time, I noticed how much more affectionate and loving he was with her in the first half of the movie as opposed to the second where he was almost catatonic. Anton Corbijn did a really good job of portraying this dramatic change and used JD's music very well to accent those points. For example, one of the highlights of the film was the scene where Ian tells Deborah that he doesn't think he loves her anymore which is then followed by the band filming the video for Love Will Tear Us Apart. I found that scene particularly striking.
After seeing it the first time I came away with quite a bad impression of Ian Curtis. To some extent he is portrayed as an asshole but after taking into consideration the fact that he was only 23, married with child, and on the verge of stardom, it's much easier to understand his plight. He wasn't an asshole, he was just a kid who made bad decisions and it ruined his life. That's the essence of the story and I thought those aspects at least were developed pretty well. If you are a fan on top of that, then it hits you on a more personal level because you feel a connection to Ian and more than likely to yourself as well.
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