Very personal, Introspective insight on one mans life and struggles

Rating: 10/10 (23 July 2010)

I am usually a reader of IMDb. I can count on 2 hands how many reviews I've left concerning films I've seen. Sometimes because the movie had been summed up do beautifully by others writings that I felt there was nothing more I could add, but also, I have to move to do such a thing for a film. I am not very verse in Punk music, but in my growing time on this earth, which has been short, I've come to realize that all music is good. What I mean when I say that is that in all in genre's of music, you have good music(artist), and not so good ones. Johnny Cash, Stevie Wonder, Marvin Gaye, and Ian Curtis.
I was not familiar with him or his music, much as I was not familiar with Johnny Cash before I watched a biography on him. I like Johnny Cash, and now, also, I like Ian Curtis. Aside from the music that he created, we saw an up close and personal account, events, emotional strife and moral conflict in the soul of one person. The conflict(s) of doing whats right and expected, versus doing what's right and fulfilling. It's ironic this movie is in Black and White, because this movie is far from black and white, there's many shades to this person's life.
Lead Actor Sam Riley who played Ian Curtis did a phenomenal job and really conveyed the emotions and moral conflict of the character and is constant struggle to hold on to what's fulfilling and what is expected of him. At the same time, he is dealing with a health issue, that at that time, there was not really a whole lot that could be done for him. Ian died at a very young age, but did a lot in that very young age. He was married and a father, had a mistress, and was in famous band. Very young to have these kind of decisions and moral dilemma's to answer to.
We can see that the character was different, saw things different. It's this difference that allowed him to write the way he did and express the way he did. I am not sure where his depression came from, I know the side-effects just enhance these feelings and fears, but I do not know where they actually began for Ian.
Debbie, played by Samantha Morton, was also amazing. She said in the film that too her Ian isn't famous, he's just Ian, "I still wash his undershorts". Where as his extra marital affair Annik knows him only as "Ian Curtis" joy division. Both Debbie and Annik know him in 2 different ways.
The acting in the film was nothing short of superb. Strongest performances turned in by Sam Riley and Samantha Morton. I felt every emotion exhibited by the characters, individually and co-joined. And felt as if it was happen to me or right in front of me at times. But Sam Riley put on a extraordinary performance not 1 whisper shy of greatness. He took this script and this character and made him his own.
Now you see why I wrote this review. There should be not doubt in your mind if you read this far. If doesn't move me, I don't write. This movie clearly did...