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The Limits of Control

The Limits of Control

Crime · Drama · Mystery · 2009

A mysterious stranger 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.

Movie details

The Limits of Control

“For every way in, there is another way out.”

2009 Crime · Drama · Mystery 1h 56m

Critical arithmetic

One number, for now.

TMDB

6.0 / 10

Community rating

A mysterious stranger 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.

CriticWise case file

What this film says about your taste.

Not a recommendation score. A measure of how closely the film’s taste signals resemble yours.

The archetype split

Who fights over The Limits of Control?

The split comes from the same five-axis model used by the test, not audience ratings or review sentiment.

Taste neighbourhood

Nearby on the taste map.

TMDB supplies the candidates. CriticWise reorders them by craft, strangeness, prestige, emotion, and pace.

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Where it lives

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Names above the title

The people responsible.

Directed by

Jim Jarmusch

Written by

Jim Jarmusch

Isaach de Bankolé

Isaach de Bankolé

Lone Man

Alex Descas

Alex Descas

Creole

Jean-François Stévenin

Jean-François Stévenin

French

Óscar Jaenada

Óscar Jaenada

Waiter

Luis Tosar

Luis Tosar

Violin

Paz de la Huerta

Paz de la Huerta

Nude

Tilda Swinton

Tilda Swinton

Blonde

Court is in session

Put The Limits of Control on trial.

Two incompatible taste archetypes. One film. Read the arguments, then issue a completely binding cultural ruling.

The defence The Auteur Devotee

“Form is the argument.”

Every composed frame and deliberate cut is evidence that control can be thrilling in its own right.

The prosecution The Popcorn Loyalist

“Technique in search of a pulse.”

Immaculate construction is still construction. The film may be too busy proving its craft to feel alive.