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The Limits of Control

Play trailer Poster for The Limits of Control R Released May 1, 2009 1h 56m Drama Play Trailer Watchlist
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43% Tomatometer 129 Reviews 43% Popcornmeter 25,000+ Ratings
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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The Limits of Control

The Limits of Control

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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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Critics Reviews

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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 Read all reviews

Audience Reviews

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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 Read all reviews
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Movie Info

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
Producer
Stacey Smith, Gretchen McGowan
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
Runtime
1h 56m
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