Control

Control is the personal story of Ian Curtis, lead singer of 80's alternative band, Joy Division and the events which lead to his suicidal death in 1980.  The story begins with his early in life romance with his wife Debbie who he immediately marries after stealing her from a friend of his.  They make a simple life for themselves where he works in a government placement agency by day and by night he starts to front a local band he renames "Joy Division".   But in no time their revolutionary sound and his poetry become the talk of the town and the band heads for national success.  Ian's draining double life takes a toll on him and brings to surface a crippling disability that has been hiding with in him - Epilepsy.  It's then we meet Anik Honore - a beautiful Belgian media reporter who Ian falls deeply in love with and risks his marriage and family to take as his mistress.  Ian's multiplying hardships are slowly driving him insane but possibly fuel his talent for writing the songs that would give birth to the alternative music genre.  His success drains him even more and now his conscience questions if the merits of living his rock and roll life would ever make up for the consequences of being a bad father and husband.  He bounces between his wife and his lover and his epilepsy takes a toll on his performance until eventually he chooses nothing and hangs himself in his wife's kitchen.

On top of looking very much like the real Ian Curtis's blurry album images the actor at least convinced me of Curtis's frustration and pain.  The actresses who play the wife and mistress were believable as well.  It was very interesting to finally discover the story behind Joy Division and their infamous front man, Ian Curtis, and I was really impressed at how honest and objective the story depicted Ian's love triangle between his wife, Debbie (who co-produced the movie), and his lover, Anik.  The whole movie is done in black and white (possibly to add to the metaphoric aspect of the film) and is backed with really good renditions of Joy Division's hit performances.  If you are a fan of Joy Division (or New Order), or are looking for a good contemporary historical piece on pop culture give Control a watch.