Control - Perfectly watchable little film
There are good films and there are bad films, but 'Control' is probably neither of those - it's just 'watchable' (but in a good way!). There's nothing particularly special about it, but I can't really think of too much that's wrong with it. Ray Liotta plays a dangerous convict who's 'executed' by the state, only to wake up and find that he can either be part of a clinical trial for a new drug which suppresses his violent tendencies (either that or be put back in the executioner's chair and let justice take its course).
I didn't know what to expect from the film, or where it was going. About the first third is taken up in the lab, before he's finally 'released' (i.e. under supervision) in the community with the effects monitored.
Now, what follows is the tale of his 'rehabilitation' into society (and society's attempt at pulling back into his own violent ways!). Let's just say that it all doesn't really go according to plan and the film turns into a kind of low budget 'Bourne-like' game of cat and mouse between Liotta and those wanting to disrupt his new life in one way or another.
It's basically a chase/thriller by the numbers. I know that could be a flaw, but it's perfectly enjoyable for what it is. The cast is hardly mega A-list, but they all play their parts well. The story - again - is nothing exceptional, but is also very easy to watch. There's no memorable soundtrack to speak of and the direction certainly won't blow you away, so if the film has any sort of flaw it's simply that it's nothing new in any way, shape or form. However, if you've had a long day and don't really want anything that is trying to turn the film-making process on its head then you could do worse than sit down and rest your brain with 'Control.'
7/10 if I woke up on Groundhog Day and had to watch this again, I could live with that
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