IMDb > The Limits of Control (2009)
The Limits of Control
Quicklinks
Top Links
trailers and videosfull cast and crewtriviaofficial sitesmemorable quotes
Overview
main detailscombined detailsfull cast and crewcompany creditstv schedule
Awards & Reviews
user commentsexternal reviewsnewsgroup reviewsawardsuser ratingsparents guiderecommendationsmessage board
Plot & Quotes
plot summarysynopsisplot keywordsAmazon.com summarymemorable quotes
Fun Stuff
triviagoofssoundtrack listingcrazy creditsalternate versionsmovie connectionsFAQ
Other Info
merchandising linksbox office/businessrelease datesfilming locationstechnical specslaserdisc detailsDVD detailsliterature listingsNewsDesk
Promotional
taglines trailers and videos posters photo gallery
External Links
showtimesofficial sitesmiscellaneousphotographssound clipsvideo clips

The Limits of Control (2009) More at IMDbPro »

Photos (see all 43 | slideshow) Videos (see all 11)
The Limits of Control (2009) -- The story of a mysterious loner (De Bankolé), a stranger, whose activities remain meticulously outside the law. He is in the process of completing a job, yet he trusts no one, and his objectives are not initially divulged.
The Limits of Control (2009) -- Clip: I used my imagination
The Limits of Control (2009) -- The story of a mysterious loner (De Bankolé), a stranger, whose activities remain meticulously outside the law. He is in the process of completing a job, yet he trusts no one, and his objectives are not initially divulged.
The Limits of Control (2009) -- Trailer for the crime drama from Director, Jim Jarmusch
The Limits of Control (2009) -- MoviesTrailer.org - Trailer (Flash)

Overview

User Rating:
6.3/10   2,509 votes
MOVIEmeter: ?
Down 13% in popularity this week. See why on IMDbPro.
Director:
Writer:
Jim Jarmusch (written by)
Contact:
View company contact information for The Limits of Control on IMDbPro.
Release Date:
28 May 2009 (Germany) more
Genre:
Tagline:
For every way in, there is another way out.
Plot:
The story of a mysterious loner, a stranger in the process of completing a criminal job. | full synopsis
NewsDesk:
(69 articles)
User Comments:
Brilliant cinematography, but not much else. more (36 total)

Cast

  (Cast overview, first billed only)

Isaach De Bankolé ... Lone Man
Alex Descas ... Creole
Jean-François Stévenin ... French
Óscar Jaenada ... Waiter

Luis Tosar ... Violin

Paz de la Huerta ... Nude

Tilda Swinton ... Blonde
Youki Kudoh ... Molecules

John Hurt ... Guitar

Gael García Bernal ... Mexican
Hiam Abbass ... Driver

Bill Murray ... American
Héctor Colomé ... Second American
María Isasi ... Flamenco Club Waitress
Norma Yessenia Paladines ... Flight Attendant
more
Create a character page for: ?

Additional Details

Also Known As:
No Limits No Control (USA) (closing credits title)
more
MPAA:
Rated R for graphic nudity and some language.
Runtime:
116 min
Country:
Color:
Aspect Ratio:
1.85 : 1 more
Sound Mix:
Certification:
USA:R | Canada:13+ (Quebec) | Canada:14A (Manitoba/Ontario) | Canada:PG (British Columbia) | New Zealand:M | Portugal:M/12 | Japan:PG12 | Hong Kong:IIB | Finland:K-11 | Mexico:B15 | Switzerland:10 (canton of Vaud) | Switzerland:10 (canton of Geneva)
Company:

Fun Stuff

Trivia:
Isaach De Bankolé exchanges matchboxes throughout the film with 'Le Boxeur' (The Boxer) written on them, the name of his character in his other film White Material (2009). more
Goofs:
Factual errors: When the Lone Man travels from Madrid to Sevilla, he enters a S 100 AVE train set. But the interior shots are clearly done in a S 103 (Velaro E), a totally different - and much newer - type of train. more
Quotes:
Mexican: Sometimes for me, the reflection is far more present than the thing being reflected. more
Movie Connections:
References La vie de bohème (1992) more
Soundtrack:
Farewell more

FAQ

A Note Regarding Spoilers
How much sex, violence, and profanity are in this movie?
Is "The Limits of Control" based on a novel?
more
10 out of 12 people found the following comment useful.
Brilliant cinematography, but not much else., 14 November 2009
Author: feverswamp from United States

I really enjoy some of Jim Jarmusch's work (Night on Earth, Mystery Train and Dead Man), and I thought that I would like this film based on the story (or lack thereof) and the soundtrack, however, I was quite disappointed. The film is very slow, and while this can work and be beneficial to the plot, I think that it dragged on far too long in this instance. There was a lot going on visually, which made up for the slowness to a degree, but it seemed as if there was too much time to take it all in. I felt myself noticing the same things over and over in various shots/scenes, because there wasn't anything else to do besides look, which made me feel like I was staring at the film more so than actually watching it.

As for the soundtrack, I am a fan of some of the artists on it (Boris, Sunn, Earth, etc.), which is part of the reason I wanted to see this film initially. Because these bands can have a very slow, droney sound, I was very interested to see how the mood of the music would work with the tone of the film. I expected the two to compliment each other, but instead, the soundtrack just made everything drag on. Because the film progressed as such a slow pace, I assumed that it was leading up to a grand climax, but the film's culmination barely stood out.

I will say that I admired the film from a technical aspect, and I enjoyed seeing some familiar faces from Jarmusch's earlier work, but I don't think I'll ever watch it again.

Was the above comment useful to you?
more (36 total)

Message Boards

Discuss this movie with other users on IMDb message board for The Limits of Control (2009)
Recent Posts (updated daily)User
reality of control in our everyday life yogigiorgo
oh dear... TayshaWaffles
Just because you don't get it... superbartje
You can't deny there were couple scenes that were brilliant and classic take_exit3
Limits of Control vs Transformers: Revenge of the Fallen cubicledweller
Worst Jarmusch Film to date? chinomovies
more

Recommendations

If you enjoyed this title, our database also recommends:
- - - - -
Ghost Dog: The Way of the Samurai Into the Night B. Monkey Joshû shokeinin Maria: Gekijô-ban Training Day
IMDb User Rating:
IMDb User Rating:
IMDb User Rating:
IMDb User Rating:
IMDb User Rating:
Show more recommendations

Related Links

Full cast and crew Company credits External reviews
News articles IMDb Crime section IMDb USA section
Add this title to MyMovies

You may report errors and omissions on this page to the IMDb database managers. They will be examined and if approved will be included in a future update. Clicking the 'Update' button will take you through a step-by-step process.