Control Synopsis & Review: Plot Summary

🎯 Quick Overview

😅 Plot Summary – Badly Explained

A young poet marries too young, forms a band, has epileptic fits, and then can’t decide which lady to love, so he ends it all, proving that being a tortured artist is a real pain in the black-and-white.

🍿 Control: Detailed Plot Synopsis

Early Life and Marriage

The film begins with a young Ian Curtis, a quiet and introspective teenager in Macclesfield, England, obsessed with music and poetry. He meets and quickly marries Deborah, a local girl, and their relationship rapidly progresses. Ian’s passion for music leads him to join a band, initially known as Warsaw.

The Rise of Joy Division

As Warsaw transitions into Joy Division, the band gains momentum and popularity within the Manchester music scene. Ian’s unique stage presence and emotionally charged lyrics become central to their identity. They sign with Factory Records under Tony Wilson, beginning their ascent in the post-punk landscape.

Personal Struggles and Epilepsy

Ian’s personal life begins to unravel as he battles with increasingly severe epileptic seizures and the side effects of his medication. His marriage to Deborah strains under the pressures of his illness, touring, and his emotional distance. He begins an affair with Annik Honoré, a Belgian journalist.

Internal Conflict and Isolation

Torn between his love for Deborah, his attraction to Annik, and the overwhelming pressures of his fame and health, Ian spirals into deep depression. The film portrays his internal struggles and increasing sense of isolation, amplified by his worsening epilepsy and the heavy demands of his music career.

⚠️ Spoilers and Ending Explained

🎬 Cast & Characters

• Ian Curtis (Sam Riley): The troubled lead singer of Joy Division, struggling with epilepsy, a failing marriage, and the pressures of fame, leading to his tragic suicide.
• Debbie Curtis (Samantha Morton): Ian Curtis’s young wife, who loves him deeply but is increasingly overwhelmed by his struggles and eventual infidelity.
• Annik Honore (Alexandra Maria Lara): The Belgian journalist with whom Ian Curtis has an affair, further complicating his already troubled life.
• Tony Wilson (Craig Parkinson): The Factory Records founder who signs Joy Division and supports their career, witnessing Ian’s decline.
• Rob Gretton (Toby Kebbell): Joy Division’s witty and pragmatic manager, who navigates the band’s rise while trying to manage Ian’s increasingly erratic behavior.

💬 Memorable Quotes

• Ian Curtis: “Existence. Well, what does it matter? I exist on the best terms I can. The past is now part of my future. The present is well out of hand.” – Reflects his fatalistic view on life and the pressures he faces.
• Ian Curtis: “It’s like it’s not happening to me but someone pretending to be me. Someone dressed in my skin.” – Expresses his sense of detachment and alienation from his own life and actions.

💰Box Office

• Budget: €4.5M
• Domestic Gross: $872,252
• Worldwide Gross: $8,159,508

💥 Control Reviews

Personal Review

As a longtime Joy Division fan, I was both excited and apprehensive about seeing ‘Control.’ From the opening scene, I was drawn into the bleak world Corbijn created. Riley’s portrayal of Ian Curtis was hauntingly accurate, capturing his stage presence and inner turmoil. The live performance scenes gave me chills, especially ‘Love Will Tear Us Apart.’ Though the subject matter is heavy, the film is a powerful tribute to a unique talent gone too soon. It made me want to listen to Joy Division even more.

• Who would enjoy:
  • “Fans of Joy Division”
  • “Those interested in post-punk music history”
  • “Viewers who appreciate biographical dramas”
  • “Audiences interested in films about mental health”
• Content warnings ⚠:
  • “Suicide”
  • “Depression”
  • “Epileptic Seizures”
  • “Drug Use”
  • “Infidelity”
  • “Mature Themes”

Professional Reviews

• The Guardian: “Control is an enigmatic and moving film, much in the manner of Joy Division’s best songs. It captures the bleakness of northern England in the 70s and provides a compelling portrait of a troubled artist.
• Rolling Stone: “Anton Corbijn’s ‘Control’ is a visually stunning and emotionally resonant biopic about Ian Curtis. Sam Riley delivers a mesmerizing performance that captures the singer’s intensity and vulnerability. A must-see for Joy Division fans.

Audience Reactions

Sam Riley’s spot-on portrayal of Ian Curtis made the film feel incredibly authentic and moving.: Viewers consistently praised the film’s gritty, black-and-white aesthetic and the raw emotional performances.

The live performance scenes perfectly captured the energy and intensity of Joy Division’s concerts.: Audiences agreed the movie evoked a strong sense of the time period and the band’s unique sound.

Overall Consensus: Control is a critically acclaimed biopic praised for its authentic portrayal of Ian Curtis and Joy Division, its stunning visuals, and its raw emotional performances.

Awards

1. Cannes Film Festival (Camera d’Or)- 2007
2. British Independent Film Awards (Best Film)- 2007
3. British Independent Film Awards (Best Director)- 2007

🛠️ Behind the Scenes

• “The actors playing Joy Division learned to play their instruments and performed the songs live during filming, adding authenticity to the concert scenes.”
• “Director Anton Corbijn, a renowned photographer, had a long history with Joy Division, having photographed them extensively in their early years, which influenced the film’s visual style.”
• “The film is based on the memoir ‘Touching from a Distance’ by Deborah Curtis, Ian Curtis’s widow, providing a personal perspective on his life and struggles.”

🖥️ How to Watch Control?

Control is available for streaming and purchase on various platforms. You can find it on platforms like Prime Video, Apple TV, Google Play Movies, and Vudu. Availability may vary depending on your region. Check these services for rental and purchase options.

🎥 Similar Movies

If you enjoyed Control, you might like these similar films:

• 24 Hour Party People (2002): Covers similar ground regarding the Manchester music scene and Factory Records, but with a more comedic and wider scope.
• Sid and Nancy (1986): A similarly tragic biopic about a troubled musician and his destructive relationship, set against the backdrop of the punk rock scene.
• The Doors (1991): Explores the life and struggles of a charismatic lead singer battling personal demons amidst the rise of a famous band.

🛒 Control Related Products

• Unknown Pleasures by Joy Division (Vinyl): Experience Joy Division’s iconic debut album on high-quality vinyl. This classic album features their signature dark and atmospheric sound, making it a must-have for any fan.
• Touching From a Distance: Ian Curtis and Joy Division: Written by Ian Curtis’s widow, Deborah Curtis, this biography provides an intimate and personal look at the life of the Joy Division frontman. The book formed the basis of the movie.
• Joy Division T-Shirt: ‘Unknown Pleasures’ Album Cover Design: Showcase your love for Joy Division with this stylish t-shirt featuring the iconic album cover art from ‘Unknown Pleasures’. A comfortable and fashionable way to pay tribute to the band.

🎧 Soundtrack

Control features a captivating soundtrack that enhances the movie’s atmosphere and emotional impact. Here are some notable tracks:

• “Love Will Tear Us Apart” – performed by Joy Division
• “Transmission” – performed by Joy Division
• “She’s Lost Control” – performed by Joy Division
• “Atmosphere” – performed by Joy Division
• “Dead Souls” – performed by Joy Division
• “Drive-In Saturday” – performed by David Bowie

You can find the complete soundtrack on Amazon Music and Apple Music.

🤨 FAQ

🔥 Bonus Content

Joy Division – Disorder (Performance From “Control”)

Ever wondered what it was like to see Joy Division live? Check out this performance of ‘Disorder’ straight from the movie ‘Control’! The raw energy is palpable, even in this recreation.

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