It’s funny. As I was watching this, I wasn’t really liking it. But now, 24 hours later, I realize that I’ve been thinking about it nonstop. So whatever is going on, it’s happening beneath the surface.
Up top, it is just another biopic. And, frankly, one we don’t need, considering there was ample Joy Division in the altogether terrific 24 Hour Party People. And is Joy Division really deserving of two biopics? I’ll answer that: No. And I like them. And still no. They did not change the world. They put out a few depressing songs and the dude danced funny. If he never hung himself (SPOILERS!) they would have faded into obscurity. I mean – will we be seeing a biopic on The Cure someday? They put out far more work and had a larger fanbase….
I digress, excuse me. It’s biopics. They so piss me off. But what the movie has going for it is that you can pretend that Joy Division never existed. I mean – if my mom watched this movie, she might believe this was entirely fictional, you know? And if that is the case, then it is just a movie about a guy. A slow moving, depressing story about a guy who is reserved and finally kills himself. Uh…..wow. Kinda pointless.
That’s how I felt watching the movie. But, like I say, it stuck with me. The look is stellar, the performances are good. “It creates a world” some might say.
So I give the movie higher-than-expected marks for something I couldn’t stand.
