The Unparalleled Cool Of The Limits Of Control.

Is The Limits Of Control the world’s coolest filmmaker’s coolest film? Languid in pace and beautifully shot and scored, Jim Jarmusch’s film was initially seen as a bit of a misfire in the directors oeuvre, but unfairly so.

Channeling the work of Jean-Pierre Melville and Jacques Rivette, but expanding the scope somewhat, The Limits Of Control traces the work of a hitman as he charts his target across Spain. The topography is therefore plenty impressive, especially when viewed through the lens of Christopher Doyle, who renders the contrasting landscapes of desert and city beautifully.

The iconic modernist architecture of Madrid plays a major role in the opening third of The Limits Of Control, with the Torres Blancas a prominent playground for Isaach de Bankolé’s unnamed protagonist, while the combination of a compelling leading man with a roster of famous famous in the film’s many supporting roles makes for a leisurely paced but hugely compelling experience. The film’s ice-cool aesthetic is complimented by a soundtrack comprised of Japanese drone boom metal band Boris, LCD Soundsystem, Sunn O))) and Jarmusch’s own band Bad Rabbit, making for a rich all-round experience.

I watched The Limits Of Control on Blu-ray, but it can be rented for £1 on Apple TV.