Control: An Unknown Pleasure

I grew up knowing “Love Will Tear Us Apart”. The song was a high school anthem. Joy Division t-shirts were a personal statement. Over the years the songs became part of my collection but I never knew much about the band other than the singer’s tragic suicide and the occasional video on Much Music. I knew the band but knew nothing of the band.

Control was popular at many film festivals in 2007. Friends of mine brought this evocative film to my attention. It is a very involving story of the band and focuses on Ian Curtis’ life. Shot in black and white, it carries on the band’s morbid image.

The actors give a stellar performance. The stars who portray the members of Joy Division were given time to truly learn their parts and interact as a real band. The music and live concert are brilliant. Sam Riley sings the part and conveys Ian Curtis’ pain convincingly.

Director Anton Corbijn was part of the post-punk movement in England. Capturing the music and trends in his photography he continued his artistic journey through this film. Joy Division’s popularity grew after Ian’s death. “Love Will Tear Us Apart” didn’t chart until the sensationalism of his suicide was widely known. Afterwards the rest of the band went on with great success in New Order but the sound was very different. Ian Curtis made the band what it was and influenced many of today’s most popular artists from Thom York to Bono.

If you were a fan of the music, I would highly recommend this critically acclaimed film.

Comments

[motherbumper]

I've got to check this one out. Did you ever see the movie 24 Hour Party People - it focused on Factory Record and covered some of Joy Division's story which I've always found fascinating (and tragic). Thanks for the recommendation.

[mamatulip]

Oooh - I'm definitely going to check this out.

[Rayanne Langdon]

I really like Joy Division and I loved this movie, too. Thanks for the review.

So many bands cover Love Will Tear us Apart these days!