Biopic about the life of Ian Curtis (Sam Riley), lead singer of the band Joy Division. Ian gets married at 19 years old to Debbie Woodruff (Samantha Morton). It is 1975, small town England. Inspired by a Sex Pistols concert in 1976, he volunteers as lead vocals for a band that is formed by a couple of mates: Bernard Sumner (James Anthony Pearson), Peter Hook (Joe Anderson), Terry Mason (Andrew Sheridan) and Stephen Morris (Harry Treadaway). The band debuts in 1977 and soon chooses the name Joy Division. At that time Ian is still working an ordinary day job of employment agent alongside.
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When Joy Division takes part in a battle of bands in 1978, Tony Wilson, the show host, and Rob Gretton (Toby Kebbell) are impressed, and the latter becomes their manager. They get signed with Tony's Factory Records label.
On the way back from their first show in London, Ian suffers a seizure. The diagnosis is epilepsy and he is prescribed medications, but the side effects of those drugs make him drowsy and moody. He starts neglecting his wife, who gives birth to their first child. Ian quits his day job to go on tour with the band, and leaves Debbie to work and care for the baby.
When interviewed by Belgian journalist Annik Honoré (Alexandra Maria Lara), Ian tells her he is unhappy in his relationship with his wife. During Joy Division's January 1980 European tour, they start an affair. When he gets back to England, Ian tells his wife he is not sure he still loves her and wants to stay in the marriage anymore. Debbie finds out about the affair and confronts him. He assures her that the affair is over, but continues to see Annik.
Ian suffers a seizure while on stage and shortly after that tries to commit suicide, but doctors prevent that. He continues to perform, but gets progressively exhausted by the strain of it and feels overwhelmed by the expectations of the audience. When Debbie learns that Ian is still seeing Annik, she wants a divorce, and Ian goes to stay with his parents.
Two nights before Joy Division is going to depart for their American tour, Ian returns home and asks Debbie not to divorce him. When she refuses, he asks her to leave. After drinking a lot, he has another seizure. After regaining consciousness the next morning, he hangs himself in the kitchen. Debbie discovers his body. The news of Ian's death leaves the remaining Joy Division members stunned. Ian's body is cremated.
Best part of story, including ending:
It's a biopic. It relates events that happened. It turns the light on a great talent.
Best scene in story:
Where she find the body in the house, as the camera stays outside.
Opinion about the main character:
He is a sensitive person, who can't come to grips with life, physically and emotionally.
