Cast: Sam Riley, Samantha Morton, Alexandra Maria Lara, Joe Anderson Dir: Anton Corbijn Rating: 4/5Based on Deborah Curtis' memoir Touching From A Distance Anton Corbijn's Control follows the short life of Joy Division's front man Ian Curtis.Ian Curtis has dreams and aspirations beyond the trappings of his life in Macclesfield in the 1970s, he wants to emulate his heroes David Bowie and Iggy Pop.When band Joy Division kick off his musical ambitions begin to thrive but even as the band begins to rise Curtis begins to fall apart.Diagnosed with epilepsy he is prescribed a cocktail of drugs that make him ill-equipped to deal with fame and fatherhood.An affair with Belgian fanzine writer Annik Honore signals the end of Curtis' marriage to loyal wife Debbie.

With increasing problems with his epilepsy adding to his guilt and depression, desperation takes hold. Surrendering to the weight on his shoulders, Ian's tortured soul consumes him.

Leading man and newcomer Sam Riley is quite simply outstanding as the softly spoken, awkward Curtis and he surprisingly excels with his vocal performance.

The always fantastic Samantha Morton puts in yet another great performance as Debbie his loyal, perhaps too loyal, wife.

The black and white grain that Corbijn shoots in is beautiful and creates a sense of intimacy without intruding, never before has Macclesfield looked so appealing.

It's hard to believe that this is Corbijn's first feature length picture as he recreates a time when musical success and admiration had to be earnt in an era before downloading, ring tones and cable television when music, in particular a record, meant something.

However Curtis' internal struggle isn't explored in in enough detail for the audience to accept his drastic decision to take his own life.

The effect that his epilepsy and the drugs that he takes to control it has on him is not examined in close enough detail to believe that his condition led to his depression.

While these subjects are touched upon perhaps as closely as the breakdown of his marriage and his affair which, in the film, appears to be the driving force in his unhappiness.

This is a fabulous movie a touching biopic that is intelligent, truthful and tragic set to a booming soundtrack of the band's best known records this is an absolute must for all fans of Joy Division.

Control is released 11th February

FemaleFirst Helen Earnshaw