"Control" had a good premise and idea. With Ray Liota playing a character sentenced to death but who is given a chance for freedom if he participates in an experiment to suppress his violent urges. What could have been an interesting character study about redemption ultimately became a sub-par often melodramatic movie that failed to deliver even the slightest bit of inside on the subject.Liota stars as Lee Ray Oliver a murderer sentenced to death but given a second chance if he participates in a chemical behavioral modification program run by Dr. Michael Copeland (played by William Defoe). The movie's first problem becomes quite apparent after a short while, Liota's character isn't portrayed as a truly evil person, yes he is shown killing people but only members of the mafia, in fact his only civilian victim doesn't even die. Which from the viewer's perspective partly ruins the motivation for the treatment Lee Ray is undertaking.The movie's plot feels confusing not because its hard to understand but because it doesn't know what direction to take. There are actually several sub-plots in it all of which after the final scene feel unfinished, and while some could have played a role in showing Liota's character new found compassion, rather ineffectively if I might add, there is the one dealing with Defoe's character that doesn't have any sort of impact on the central plot. The movie's direction does nothing to cloud the badly written plot, with a heavy dose of mediocrity it feels like you're watching a made for TV production.The only reason this is worth watching is the acting. With some decent to good performances by Liota, Defoe and Rodriguez (who plays Lee Ray's girlfriend in one of the sub-plots). Regrettably the supporting cast fails to keep on their level, making a lot of the supporting characters annoying or just simply badly acted.In the end "Control" fails to impress or use it's interesting ala "Clockwork Orange" premise. Giving us a final product whose melodramatic ending doesn't succeed in achieving any sort of emotional response from the viewer.

I got to say i really enjoyed this movie. I've always been a sucker for a good drama with a twist. I felt though that they could have picked up the pace a little bit though. From the beginning to end it was a good one though. I thought that Willem Dafoe and Ray Liotta did a really good job. They really did well on the screen together. Michelle Rodriguez also played her role very well given the screen time she had. Though i felt they could have showed a little more of relationship between Lee (Ray Liotta) and Teresa (Michelle Rodriguez). Overall this is a great movie to watch if your into drama's with a surprise ending.

"Control" is one of the most satisfying movies about the human spirit that I've seen in years. I usually don't like Ray Liotta much, but even he was excellent in this film. The movie gets off to a bit of a slow start, but after "phase 2" trials start, things pick up. There's a bit of predictability at work, but for the most part I was in the dark about what would happen, and the twist at the end caught me *totally* off guard.As someone else mentioned, the film is almost ruined by a 20-second sequence following the point where it *should have* ended. However, I have to overlook this sequence in favor of the rest of the movie. It moved me. Almost to tears. 8/10.

The sociopath killer Lee Ray Oliver (Ray Liotta) is sentenced to death by lethal injection. Dr. Michael Copeland (Willem Dafoe) offers him the chance to be a test subject of an experimental drug intended to reduce the aggressive behavior of the patient. Lee accepts the terms and after a successful treatment in the laboratory, gets a new identity and chance in life. However, his past haunts him."Control" is a very promising thriller with a great beginning, which hooks the attention of the viewer. The attractive cast has names such as Willem Dafoe, Ray Liotta, Michelle Rodriguez, Stephen Rea and Polly Walker. I really expected an excellent film, after watching the first part of this film, but unfortunately, after the last plot point, the screenplay has a horrible conclusion., spoiling what could have been a great movie. My vote is seven.Title (Brazil): "Control"