Control

Throbbing with the vibrant and edgy atmosphere of the English punk rock scene of the late '70s/early '80, but vital and provocative enough to speak to audiences of today, Control simply rocks. In every way an exceptional film; this is one of those rare gems you must not miss. It's the true story of musical icon Ian Curtis (Sam Riley), who led the punkers Joy Division to success onstage; battled epilepsy and personal demons; had a wife, baby, and mistress; and then hanged himself, all by the age of 23. At its heart, it's the story of a British working-class bloke who lived five lifetimes in just a fraction of one. He sleepwalks through his boring day job, only to stumble on to an unexpected career trajectory when his talent for bringing a unique voice and attitude to a restless generation vaults him into the big time. His debilitating epileptic attacks set him on a collision course not only with his wife (the heartbreakingly good Samantha Morton) and baby, representing a family he wasn't prepared for, but also with himself. Control—based on the book Touching From a Distance, written by Ian's wife, Deborah Curtis—just feels completely authentic, a head-spinning and tragic journey into the world of a gifted young musician's inner darkness. Understandably a sensation when it debuted at the 2007 Cannes Film Festival, the stunningly photographed and musically thrilling story deserves to become an indie success. Riley is the acting discovery of the year. If there was any justice he'd be nominated for an Oscar, but he won't be. Performances this precise and adventurous rarely get the glory. Let's hope this one just finds an audience.