Directed By: Jim Jarmusch
Cast: Isaach de Bankolé, Bill Murray, Gael Garcia Bernal, Tilda Swinton, John Hurt, Youki Kudoh
Genre: Crime/Thriller
Runtime: 116 minutes
Rating: 3.5/5
First things first, Jim Jarmusch's svelte, modern-day espionage drama The Limits of Control is not everyone's cup of tea. This minimalist thriller is a series of immaculately shot images and sound, which is best seen as a work of art. Even though Jim's disdain for traditional narrative structure is not a new thing (Coffee and Cigarettes, Dead Man), he defiantly tells the story in an even obscure manner, intriguing viewers and transporting them to the world of ace cinematographer Christopher Doyle's vividly colourful and bright, sun-kissed Spain.
Jarmusch's stoic protagonist, played by Isaach de Bankolé, only credited as the Lone Man, is a hit man of some sorts, who travels around Spain's exotic locales, drinking expressos and collecting vague messages in matchboxes. The Lone Man's incessant journey takes him places and he is often accompanied by odd tête-à-têtes with other nameless characters that are only credited as the Mexican, Nude and Blonde among others.
After receiving instructions, the loner begins his journey through Spain where he visits numerous odd characters that are designated as the messengers. All of them give the loner a matchbox containing a piece of paper, which he swallows with his expressos after reading it. His intentions are unknown till the very end. The movie is not about grand confrontations and CGI-laden actions that are usually a part of these kind of movies. Instead, Jarmusch weaves the narrative with a slow and steady folk-story-like quality, which slowly grows on you rather than being 'in your face'.
The expletive use of random conversations and monologues serves as the structure of the non-existent plot. Although the unfinished monologues are annoying at first, it slowly grows on the viewers, after the point of which it becomes the part of the narrative. Isaach de Bankolé's striking portrayal of the grim loner is the high-point of the movie. Ace actors Tilda Swinton, Gael Garcia Bernal and Bill Murray give a balanced performance on their short cameos.
The Limits of Control is as much as Christopher Doyle's film as it is of Jim Jarmusch. Avant-garde cinematographer Doyle, best known for his work in numerous Wong Kar Wai films, captures the beautiful Spanish surroundings, from modern Madrid to the bare Tabernas desert with flair, giving each frame a painting-like quality.
The impatient viewers may find Jarmusch's skilfully crafted narration hopelessly never-ending, but the movie is, in fact, a steady piece of cinema to be savoured part-by-part, rather than the rollercoaster-ride blockbusters that take you on a cheap-thrill journey. Although impatient viewers may detest it, The Limits of Control is one of those movies that demands your attention simply for what it is.
