A lot of criticism has been voiced here before, and I am not going into detail about what I, too, think is actually deficient, inappropriate or even completely lacking in this film. Making a feature film about a non-mainstream band or singer is basically an idea I would always wholeheartedly endorse. (Why not, for example, venture to put the life of Mark E. Smith/The Fall, another great Mancunian alternative music act, on the screen -- a truly controversial, complex, ingenious and enigmatic artist with a band history that surely has a couple of funny as well as emotionally extraordinary episodes to offer?) In the case of Joy Division and the tragic life story of their genius lyricist more cinematographic creativity could have gone into the making of this movie than this fairly static quasi-documentary that picks up speed just a few minutes before Curtis actually hangs himself. Exploring the workings of a highly introspective mind in a strictly realist (or even naturalist) cinematographic fashion doesn't seem to work. There are more options for a director to visualise a character's inner world than just using voice-over. We as viewers never get any deeper insight into Curtis' ongoing emotional conflicts, psychic perturbation and his struggle with epileptic seizures and their consequences. A first-person viewpoint would have made so much more sense in this movie.

Having been on a roll with watching music biopics recently (this, 'Sid and Nancy', 'What's Love Got To Do With It', '24 Hour Party People', 'Great Balls of Fire!', 'I'm Not There', 'Notorious' and 'Nowhere Boy'), 'Control' of those films was the best.Like most of the films mentioned, 'Control' is a divisive film, most loved it while others disliked it. As said, personally was one of the people who loved 'Control'. Not going to say that 'Control' is perfect because it isn't. It does drag and lose momentum in the final quarter and it did run out of gas at the end in terms of pace and drama where things got predictable.However, 'Control' is an excellently made film, every part of the cinematography and images beautifully framed. There is a real evocativeness of it all. The music is absolutely exceptional as to be expected.Enjoyed the surprisingly earthy humour, while dramatically there is a lot of heart, affecting intimacy and humanity. Those elements that director Anton Corbijn brought was a huge part of the film's appeal. Corbijn directs very strongly.Sam Riley is utterly convincing as Curtis, a multi-layered and moving performance that balances Curtis' hyperactive stage persona and tortured personal life without a qualm. Matching him every step of the way is Samantha Morton in a poignant and resilient turn that one can really relate to.In summary, excellent and the standout biopic on viewing music biopics recently. My favourite biopics ever are 'Amadeus' and 'The Elephant Man'. 9/10 Bethany Cox

Astonishingly well acted film, so much so that it seems unfair to single out any of the performances. Mr. Lawrence's camera sense is as sure and unobtrusive as his feel for acting. The movie just seems to happen, to grow out of the ground like a thorny plant, revealing the intricate intelligence of its design only in hindsight. As a JD fan, I thought it was done in a way that even non-JD fans could enjoy it. All of the actors playing the JD band members actually played their instruments and performed those songs... it wasn't just Reilly overdubbing vocals over original JD recordings! That is something that really impresses me about the skills of the actors chosen for the band. True, Curtis was a genius, but he was also human... I felt this film was grounded in reality without trying to evangelize/make a martyr out of Curtis.

Control, the story of Ian Curtis, singer of British alternative band Joy Division. The film is made in black and white, which adds a certain edge to the film. There isn't much drama or fast-paced scenes (until the very end, I guess), and that seems to be what everyone criticizes about the movie. Why do you think the director wanted it black and white? If it had been a sincerely boring film, why release it? Of course they made up some aspects of Ian's life, but the fact is that Ian was a dull, depressed human being. He couldn't handle love, or fame overall. He doesn't show signs of emotion in the film, and doesn't speak much at all. Truth is, black and white was exactly what he saw, while he was spiraling towards the end of his life. The acting is incredible. Absolutely spot on. Very very noteworthy.I enjoyed Control, but that's only because I love indie films and rock and roll movies. If you're looking into this movie expecting some delicious drama and edge-of-your-seat thrills, just don't watch it. It's about a man who gradually fell apart, who gradually lost control. And if you can't see that in the film, it's definitely not worth watching.