CONTROL

US, 2004, 104 minutes, Colour.
Ray Liotta, Willem Dafoe, Michelle Rodriguez, Stephen Rea, Polly Walker, Kathleen Robertson.
Directed by Tim Hunter.

A popular fiction theme is the scientist using various means, physical or psychological, to try to improve the moral standing and conscience of a criminal.

In this version, Ray Liotta plays a man and we see executed at the opening of the film, seemingly little remorse, scenes of his life passing before his eyes. Then, to our surprise, he is revived under the supervision of a doctor played by Willem Dafoe who is conducting experiments with a drug being produced by a company headed by Stephen Rea.

At first, the criminal continues his violent reactions but, with doses over time, he becomes much calmer and is allowed out by himself, in an apartment, getting a job, with the help of Michelle Rodriguez, and is going to visit a man who has been mentally affected by his being shot by the criminal.

There are sub-plots with gangsters pursuing him as well as the brother of the disabled man.

The film builds up to a melodrama, especially concerning the criminal who has been dependent on placebos rather than the drugs and who has improved morally through the psychological help and support of the doctor

The ending is dramatic – and not a happy ending.

1. A crime thriller? Psychological thriller?

2. The title? Medical experiments, tests, drugs, placebos? Psychological influence on the tests?

3. The American cities, prison, crime world, drugs and medication, ordinary workplaces? The musical score?

4. The opening with the execution, Lee Ray and his being laid out, defiant, the hostile witness watching, getting some satisfaction? The insertion of the drugs? Lee Ray and his memories, going back to his childhood, the collage, his life before his eyes, his death?

5. The shock of the recovery, the doctors and their explanation, his violent reaction? Michael, the case, the drugs, the plan? His experiences? The head of the corporation? Issues of drugs, manufacture, promotion, control?

6. Lee Ray, his reaction, the innate violence? Explanations from his past, childhood, the brutality of treatment, the robberies, the guns, his wounding the young man? The trial? His
violence towards Michael?

7. Michael, in himself, doctor, his plan, with Lee Ray? The explanations? Persevering, the interactions, the doses? Michael’s private life, his ex-wife and their meeting discussions? His affair? His assistant? The story of the killing of his son? Going to the conventions, the promotions, his being praised?

8. Lee Ray becoming Joe, being tested, the effect of the drugs, the attempted escape, wounding Michael, the threats?

9. His being ready to go out, his new identity, searching for accommodation, the cash, the surveillance cameras and search? His being able to plead for drugs and doses?

10. No job, meeting Teresa, the offer of the job, the interview with the boss, his skills, at work?

11. His eluding his pursuers, the chase, the train ride, visiting the young man, offering to be his friend? The brother tracking him down, checking him out with the boss? Coming to the house, the confrontation? The young man saying Lee Ray was his friend?

12. The gun, the shooting, the pursuit, escape, blame? The head of the company and his decisions?

13. The warden, information to the Mafia, the pursuit of the government, the shootouts?

14. Lee Ray and Michael in the car, going to the river, his saving Michael?

15. Lee Ray being shot, overhearing the explanation from the company head about the placebo, Michael surprise? The fact of the change in Lee Ray as psychological change and
support? His memories going before him again as he died?