Markedly different

Rating: Null/10 (25 September 2009)

This is a great introduction to the band Joy Division and Ian Curtis' story for people who weren't of that era. I was born in 1982, and being a music follower I knew about Joy Division, I knew Ian Curtis killed himself, I knew the Smashing Pumpkins and Nine Inch Nails covers of Joy Division songs. I always thought they seemed quite important to the modern music world, but watching this movie was my first real introduction, and I spent an afternoon listening to all their releases afterwards. First, I thought it was a really respectful and thoughtful movie, and quite unlike most rock star rise and fall stories. It fascinated me to learn afterwards who the film makers actually were with regard to their relation to the band historically. I liked how Mr Curtis didn't seem to be a hedonist or a showman. There's a line, something like 'those people don't know what it takes and the effect it has on me' when talking about performing, like it takes every ounce of strength and expression just to complete a show, like he really really took it seriously and needed it. This film really helped me to get the music, and give me a reference point to start appreciating it. I thought it was far more sympathetic to the subject than most films of this type, extremely well acted, and as previously mentioned, a great introduction to a band I'll unfortunately never get to see.