Ian's Lost Control

Rating: 10/10 (25 December 2007)

Anybody who ever grooved on the music of Joy Division (and their later reincarnation,New Order)as I did back in the day (and still do)should drop what they have on & flock to whatever cinema is screening this gem. The story centers on Ian Curtis (played to perfection by Sam Riley)from the time of his rather unamazing adolescence (Curtis mostly hangs out in his bedroom,smoking & listening to David Bowie,Iggy Pop & others),until his untimely death at the age of 23. Despite being the lead singer in Joy Division, his life was pretty much the antithesis of the whole bohemian experience (he married way too early in life). Despite this,Curtis's rather humdrum life does make for a very good cinematic experience. The film,although shot on colour stock, was processed in a glowing black & white that looks stunning on screen. The music is to die for (all of Joy Division's music is actually played live by the supporting cast,all of which are musicians). I'm now hoping for film bios on some of the other bands that recorded for Factory,back in the late 70's & early to mid 80's (Happy Mondays,Duruti Column,etc.)