The Limits of Control

R

Released May 1, 2009

1 hr. 56 min.

Drama

List

43%

130 Reviews

Tomatometer

43%

25,000+ Ratings

Audience Score

A mysterious stranger (Isaach de Bankolé) works outside the law and keeps his objectives hidden, trusting no one. While his demeanor is paradoxically focused and dreamlike all at once, he embarks on a journey that not only takes him across Spain, but also through his own consciousness.

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Critics Consensus

A minimalist exercise in not much of anything, The Limits of Control is a tedious viewing experience with little reward.

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Steve D

Aimless and slow as can be.

Rated 1 out of 5 stars

10/08/23

Full Review

Logan M

Call me crazy, but I think I liked it. I won't recommend it or call it a good film. It is quite literally all style and no substance at all. But Jim Jarmusch's direction the film's cast and its cinematography let me enjoy it, even if I can't say very much in its favor.

Rated 3 out of 5 stars

03/12/23

Full Review

KEVIN C

The more I watch this one the more I'm drawn in to this dialogue light film of intrigue. From the lead, Isaach De Bankole, whose quiet strength hooks you into every movement he makes and every step he takes you on this journey. Surrounded by an incredible support cast Tilda Swinton, Bill Murray, Gael Garcia Bernal and the incredibly beautiful Paz de La Huerta , who they certainly didn't go broke on her wardrobe. Interesting film that you're not always sure what's going on but riveting nonetheless.

Rated 3 out of 5 stars

11/14/22

Full Review

Audience Member

If you liked Broken Flowers then I would go out on a limb and say that you will like this... a central character strolls around interacting with other more or less random characters discussing more or less random things, and it looks good and it sounds good, and nothing much actually happens. Same goes for Paterson as far as I can remember. Not sure why this one gets down-rated so much, maybe there is the expectation that it is somehow an action movie (it isn't). An easy enjoyable watch.

Rated 4.5 out of 5 stars

01/26/23

Full Review

Audience Member

Probably one of the worst wastes of space I have ever witnessed. It is plain hysterical how "critics " tried to find value in its boring!!!!! Sluggish minutes. Seriously, we watched it for a full 17 minutes, and kept saying.. "that's not John Hurt". Yes "do you like my ass.." was the best line. I will order cappuccino when I next visit Madrid in two separate cups..and will search for matches in the those little boxes.. but I will pass on the notes as an appetizer. I busted out laughing when he ate the third one.. it may have only two..

Rated 0.5 out of 5 stars

02/07/23

Full Review

Audience Member

This is not a great movie, but it has a strong visual style. Unfortunately, one great moment stands out above all the others, and it's the moment that stood out in the trailer. Bill Murray swivels around at a desk in a big fancy study, and he jumps to see a stranger sitting on his couch silently. "How did you get in here?" he asks. The reply is just as cool as a cucumber: "I used my imagination."

Rated 3 out of 5 stars

01/16/23

Full Review

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Jim Jarmusch

Director

Isaach de Bankolé

Lone Man

Gael García Bernal

Mexican

Tilda Swinton

Blonde

John Hurt

Guitar

Bill Murray

American

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Ben Kenigsberg

Time Out

Rated: 4/5

Nov 17, 2011

Full Review

Andrew Male

Empire Magazine

Cool, handsome, self-assured... but, as the existentialists might say, what's the bloody point?

Rated: 3/5

Dec 11, 2009

Full Review

David Jenkins

Time Out

A work of dazzling formal discipline that riffs on the simple notion of repetition and variation.

Rated: 4/5

Dec 11, 2009

Full Review

Dustin Chang

International Cinephile Society

Less hypnotic than Dead Man but infinitely more interesting than anything else he's done since, Limits of Control is more of an exercise in Jarmusch-ism.

Apr 12, 2021

Full Review

Dustin Chang

Floating World

Only Jarmusch can get away with pretentious movie about art like this. Less hypnotic than Dead Man but infinitely more interesting than anything else he's done since, Limits of Control is more of an exercise in Jarmusch-ism.

Mar 24, 2021

Full Review

Mike Massie

Gone With The Twins

What begins as an exercise in existentialism and surrealism graduates into the amateurish experiment of a hitman procedural.

Rated: 2/10

Nov 29, 2020

Full Review

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Synopsis

A mysterious stranger (Isaach de Bankolé) works outside the law and keeps his objectives hidden, trusting no one. While his demeanor is paradoxically focused and dreamlike all at once, he embarks on a journey that not only takes him across Spain, but also through his own consciousness.

Director: Jim Jarmusch
Executive Producer: Jon Kilik
Screenwriter: Jim Jarmusch
Distributor: Focus Features
Production Co: Pointblank Pictures
Rating: R (Some Language|Graphic Nudity)
Genre: Drama
Original Language: English
Release Date (Theaters): May 1, 2009, Limited
Release Date (Streaming): Feb 12, 2014
Box Office (Gross USA): $425.0K

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