JOY DIVISION
More than you can possibly want to know about the short-lived and seminal post-punk band!
Directed by: Grant Gee Written by: Jon SavageAvailable at Amazon for $19.99 Review by Ray DeRousse FILM:
rating: 4
DVD:rating: 2.5
As I said in my review of the recent Joy Division biopic CONTROL, I was never much of a fan of the late-seventies post-punk band JOY DIVISION. Despite that, I was mildly disappointed in the ANTON CORBIJN film because it didn't provide much information about the band, or the relationships amongst them that led to such important music. Instead, it felt the need to focus almost exclusively on sullen frontman IAN CURTIS and his physical and romantic problems. Fortunately, director GRANT GEE picks up the slack with a superb documentary that traces the origins of both the band members and their environment in Manchester at that time. This time, the remaining members of the band (now known as NEW ORDER) are collected together to provide the small details that illuminate both the creation of their sound, as well as the unfortunate memories that led to the suicide of lead singer Curtis at the age of 23 years old. I must say that this might be one of the best-edited and conceived documentaries I have ever seen. Gee and editor JERRY CHATER smoothly and creatively segue between interviews and archival footage, blending the information into a magnificent painting of the turbulent times in England that led to punk rock. They uncover terrific bits of notations and writings from the band's past, which perfectly anchor the events described. The tone of the documentary matches the tenor of the band and its music: artsy, clever, and complex. The playful tone Gee and Chater achieve here keeps the film running at a brisk and enjoyable pace, even during the depressing and candid moments. Again, I am not a fan of the band, but I learned quite a bit and gained a new appreciation for their place in music history. And that might be the best compliment I can bestow on this terrific documentary. EXTRAS Not much here, although the extra 75 minutes of additional interviews might be a welcomed gift to fans of both JOY DIVISION and NEW ORDER. OVERALL If you're interested in this time period of music history, or, of course, the band, then you need this DVD in your collection. Even though I am neither, I still recommend this excellent documentary in order to widen your appreciation of both. An excellent film.