Control (2007)

In the drab, industrial town of Macclesfield, near Manchester, a quiet and introspective young man named Ian Curtis emerges from the shadows of his mundane life in an employment agency. Amid the monotonous humdrum of the 1970s, he finds solace in the resonant notes of David Bowie and the poetic verse he passionately recites. Music fuels his soul, leading him to form a band with two of his friends, initially known as Warsaw, later transforming into the iconic Joy Division. Their raw energy and unique sound rapidly gain traction, pulling them from the dingy local pubs to the dizzying heights of success. Ian, their enigmatic lead singer and songwriter, pours his heart into the band, captivating audiences with his performances, but also paying a heavy personal toll. The mounting pressures of fame and the relentless energy required on stage start to clash with his domestic life. A young woman named Debbie enters Ian's life, and they promptly marry. Their union is further blessed with a child, yet their relationship begins to erode under the strain of Ian's burgeoning stardom and relentless touring schedule. Ian's heart is torn between his duty to his family and an intoxicating affair with Annik, a Belgian woman he encounters during one of his gigs. Complicating his tumultuous personal life is a debilitating diagnosis of epilepsy, for which the treatment is far from perfect. The medication, much like the rest of his life, seems to be failing him, pushing Ian further into the depths of despair. As Joy Division prepares to embark on their first U.S tour, Ian finds himself wrestling with his feelings for Debbie, the increasing pressure of his fame, and his failing health. Ian Curtis, the once introverted lad from Macclesfield, now stands on the precipice of international fame, yet he appears to be losing control, caught in the whirlwind of his own life. As his world spirals, he is left to question, does he have any options left? Control paints the poignant journey of a conflicted soul, etching a haunting portrait of a man in the throes of personal and professional turmoil.

Control is a drama movie featuring Sam Riley.

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