The Walrus - Music With Really Big Teeth! - Sneak Preview: Control

10/09/2007

Sneak Preview: Control - The New Ian Curtis/Joy Division Movie

I caught an extra early sneak-preview of the new Ian Curtis/Joy Division movie Control last week and I can confirm what I think everyone probably already knew: this movie is excellent.

Based on the book Touching From a Distance by Curtis' widow, Deborah (ok Ian, I see where you were coming from), the movie offers an emotional window into the tumultuous life of Joy Division’s storied front man, both off and on stage.

Actor Sam Riley plays Curtis exceptionally well (kudos), and the rest of the faux band does an incredible job of reperforming/reenacting various live performances (check out the video mash up below of cuts from the movie and original performance footage).

It was a little misleading that the movie had Joy Division performing “Transmission" in their 1978 major debut performance on Tony Wilson'sGranada Reports, when in fact the band played “Shadowplay”, a song released on their first album a year later (notice in the mash up that the original footage cuts from the ’78 performance to a later show to synch with “Transmission”). It’s all right though; I understand that film can require a little poetic license to tell a good story.

Also be aware that Joy Division is only a third or so of the movie. We don’t really learn much about the band or Curtis’ fellow band mates, this film is about Ian Curtis’ relationships and his own personal demons. I guess we’ll just have to wait for a New Order film if we want the scoop on everyone else.

There is no doubt that Control is a damn good movie and worthy of the critical acclaim it has received so far. If you are not already planning on it, make sure you get out and see the motion picture when it is officially released to select theaters in the US on October 19th. It definitely won’t leave you hanging (sorry).

Buy Touching From a Distance at Amazon.

Buy Heart and Soul, Joy Division's acclaimed box set at Amazon.

Check out the other Joy Division related movie 24 Hour Party People at Internet Movie Database.

Download songs from the official Control soundtrack: The Killers cover "Shadowplay," the movie's cast lends their own cover of "Transmission" and the Joy Division original "Love Will Tear Us Apart.