SnoopyStyle The Lone Man (Isaach De Bankolé) is given instruction on a mysterious mission. He meets various people who gives him various mercurial messages.Writer/director Jim Jarmusch has created a movie of beautiful style but with little substance. It is lovingly shot. The plot would fit comfortably on the back of an envelop and the dialog on a 3-hole page, double spaced and on one side. The movie luxuriates on nothing scenes. It uses silence as a special effects and convoluted messages as insightful. My biggest problem with this is that it uses great actors as nothing more than cardboard cutouts. In the end, there is nothing here but a failed art experiment.

thomasshahbaz 1. The most hilarious gag I've seen in a film in ages (delivered by Tilda Swinton). Won't bother going on about it as others already have, but the film's first 20 or 30 mins are almost just building to the delivery of that line and the subsequent 45 secs.2. The exquisite juxtaposition of the achingly controlled practicing Flamenco artists (in particular the dancer) and the first crack of a loss of the main protagonist's control to the inevitable emotions provoked by what he's witnessing (there are many overwhelmingly beautiful "set-ups" thrown in his face, to which he has thusfar not reacted). This scene should have film students and buffs jizzing in their pants, and if it doesn't, they should think again! If you don't like Jim Jarmusch, then don't bother. If you do, watch it. Simple.

FilmCriticLalitRao Although it boasts of a star cast which can be hailed as the 'Who's Who of the world cinema, The Limits of Control is a film with which only admirers of Jim Jarmusch would be content. For ordinary viewers, this film could be classified as one of those 'good for eyes' and 'bad for the mind' type films. 'The Limits of Control' begins on a good note with a quote by famous French poet Arthur Rimbaud about ferrymen and impassible rivers to reveal a man who does not speak much as he lets his silent gaze to say it all. Through this film, one observes how small actions namely ordering espresso in two separate cups or eating fruits etc are deftly shown in order to convey the message that the viewers are watching an 'intelligent film' meant for anyone who cares for art in general. For example-The film's leading man is shown visiting art galleries, paintings coming to life and intellectual dialogs about different topics such as films and music are enthusiastically mouthed by minor characters who help the film to steer towards its conclusion. The film comes alive in the last quarter as our hero gets a chance to accomplish his mission which success. It can be surmised that it is at that point that viewers might consider that their leading man is in a league of his own as he does not belong to anyone.

Chris Lewis This movies is nothing short of brilliant. Not because less than 200 words that are said, but mostly because the mind allows you to create what is happening. This allows for a multi-verse of options for what's really going on. Not a single character has a name either. The message I believe in this movie is more about imagination (clearly stated in the movie) and leaves the watcher hooked. I found this movie flipping through HBO and it took nothing short of "no words" to hook me. I instantly restarted the film and was amazed at the concept in which was defined here. I will say it lacked some detail, but I think that's what the write/director had in mind. It's noted on a couple of occasions to "use your imagination" Genius idea and creative simplicity. Oh and I watched it twice. The 2nd time it seem to make more sense. . . at least in my own mind.