Based on the book by his widow Deborah Curtis, WALKING AWAY FROM SILENCE, CONTROL is the story of Ian Curtis (Michael Riley), the enigmatic singer of Joy Division whose personal, professional, and romantic troubles led him to commit suicide at the early age of 23.  Ian’s music would eventually evolve into the famous rhymes of New Order and Depeche Mode.  Filmed in black and white and set in 70’s Manchester, CONTROL has the gritty feel of the place (the surrounding Manchester area), times and passion of the band’s lead singer thanks to details of costumes, props down to the minute mannerisms and actions of

the actors.  The way Curtis and his wife (Samantha Morton) cuddle while walking under his cloak reminds one of scenes right out of a 70’s Brit movie.  It helps that the music is fantastic as well.  As the music of Joy Division is easy to play, the actors actually performed the songs on stage giving the film a realistic edge.  CONTROL, which is director Corbijn’s first feature film deservedly, won special mention at Cannes this year.  (Corbijn began his career as a rock photographer.)

Michael Riley (24 HOUR PARTY PEOPLE) is superb as the disturbed Ian Curtis.  Here is a troubled man whose romantic true love and fame and fortune serve as a curse because of his personality.  Riley and director Corbijn get these essential points across in a sometimes difficult to take film.  Though the film has an odd shift from Ian’s music to his infidelity though the second half, director Corbijn slowly but effectively blends the two issues together.  CONTROL is this year’s surprise top 10 films of the year.