The Limits of ControlSynopsis and Overview

Poster art for "The Limits of Control."

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  • The Limits of Control
  • Opened May 1, 2009 | Runtime:1 hr. 56 min.
  • R
    graphic nudity and some language
  • Isaach De Bankolé stars in the lead role for Mr. Jarmusch; this marks the duo’s fourth collaboration over nearly two decades, following "Night on Earth, Ghost Dog: The Way of the Samurai", and "Coffee and Cigarettes." "The Limits of Control" also Read More
  • Cast: Isaach de Bankolé, Hiam Abbass, Gael García Bernal, Paz de la Huerta, Alex Descas
  • Director: Jim Jarmusch
  • Genres: Crime Drama, Crime

The Limits of Control Movie Photos & Trailers + Clips

  • Isaach De Bankole as Lone Man in "The Limits of Control."
  • John Hurt as Guitar in "The Limits of Control."
  • Hiam Abbass as Driver in "The Limits of Control."
  • Isaach De Bankole as Lone Man in "The Limits of Control."
  • Bill Murray as American in "The Limits of Control."
  • Alex Descas as Creole and Jean-Francois Stevenin as French in "The Limits of Control."
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The Limits of Control Featured Trailers + Video Clips

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The Limits of Control Recent Fan Reviews

  • So-so

    Freedom from narrative

    by bcrossbcross

    I'm going to guess that this film would appeal almost exclusively to Jarmusch fans. For others, patience is needed along with the conscious expectation of only a few seconds of pay-off at the end. Perhaps an allegory for bondage/freedom, the audience is at the mercy of Jarmusch. And he takes control through long, aesthetically beautiful shots, repetition, and a nearly silent film. OK, some nice musical moments, and a few lines from Swinton, Hurt, and Murray. If you feel drowsy, better wait for a time when your full attention can be mustered.

  • Go

    This is not a "let's go to a movie" movie.

    by spamtrap

    There's THAT kind of movie - one that tells a story and has a coherent plot... and then there's THIS kind of movie... a mental puzzle, the kind of film you have to watch a second and third time and maybe more to figure out. If you've seen David Lynch's Lost Highway, Mulholland Drive, or Inland Empire, that's the kind of movie The Limits of Control is. The star of the film, Isaach DeBankole, appears to be a hit man who's been contracted to kill Bill Murray. But he also exchanges match boxes with various characters for most of the film. He gives someone a match box full of diamonds and in exchange gets a match box with some kind of code written on paper which he eats. Is this part of his hit man job or something else? Is he a diamond smuggler on the side? I don't know. I'll have to see it again... and maybe still won't be able to figure it out. If you don't like puzzle movies, don't go to this one.

  • Oh No!

    ...is it over yet...

    by candicecolucci

    Beautifully made, but better serves as Spain's extended version of commercial for tourism.

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The Limits of Control Critic Reviews

So-so Avg. Critic Score out of 100 Metascore ® based on all critic ratings.

Critic scores range from 0 to 100, with higher scores indicating more favorable reviews.

  • 90
    Los Angeles Times |

    A little like guided meditation with suggestions floated, waiting, left...

  • 60
    The New York Times | Manohla Dargis

    A nondramatic work best appreciated as a pure image-and-sound event.

  • 50
    The Hollywood Reporter | Michael Rechtshaffen

    Unfortunately, the whole seldom adds up to the sum of its illustrious parts,...

  • 50
    Rolling Stone | Peter Travers

    Even the great ones hit snags. With The Limits of Control, Jim Jarmsuch gets...

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The Limits of Control Movie Ratings + Reviews

Fans say

So-so 168 fan reviews

Critics say

So-so See all critic reviews

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