Striking

Rating: 9/10 (23 August 2008)

This was easily the best biopic I have seen in a long, long time. Anton Corbijn has been one of my favourite photographers for a long time, but I had no idea that he had this kind of cinematic beauty in him as well. There are images here that are simply striking, and incredibly memorable, (such as the long shot of Ian's back with his newly-made "HATE" jacket); things that I am not likely to forget anytime soon. In addition to Corbijn's camera work, the acting talent here is top notch. Riley plays a convincing Ian Curtis and gets everything about the man--including his spastic march-on-the-spot stage movements--down almost to eerie perfection. Fans looking for a touching ode to Ian Curtis may want to steer clear, as its brutally frank and honest depiction of him may leave some feeling as though he was placed in a negative light, but fans looking for an earnest portrayal of one of the 20th century's most tragic pop music figures should find plenty to hold their interest.