The Limits of Control

"For every way in, there is another way out."

Sep 19 2009 R 1h 56m
Crime, Drama, Mystery

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.

Plot

A solitary man who does not speak Spanish is an underground courier. Two men who are both thuggish and philosophical send him to Madrid with cryptic instructions. Over the course of a few days, he receives his instructions from a series of distinctive individuals who provide words of philosophy or of warning and also give him a matchbox with a tiny piece of paper, which he reads then eats, accompanied by espresso served in two cups. He is quiet, self-contained, focused on his work. He has rules. He encounters and at times transmits a violin, diamonds, a guitar, and a map. Is he a smuggler? Merely an independent conduit? Or, something else?

Written by

Jim Jarmusch

Directed by

Jim Jarmusch

Cast

Isaach De Bankolé, Alex Descas, Jean-François Stévenin

Crew

View crew

Production Countries

United States of America, Japan

Production Companies

Entertainment Farm (EF), PointBlank Films

Languages

Español, Français, English

Awards

1 win

Trailers
The Limits of Control - Trailer
Scores
# of Votes
21,892
Average Rating
6.2 out of 10
Metascore
41
Popularity
NA