Set Fire to the Stars
(2014)Independent, black and white drama about Welsh poet Dylan Thomas, focusing on a week in his life as he prepares for a series of performed readings in the US. Elijah Wood plays American poet and critic John Malcolm Brinnin, while Celyn Jones is Thomas. Features an original score by Gruff Rhys from Super Furry Animals.
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Directed by Andy Goddard (feature debut)
Starring Elijah Wood, Celyn Jones, Kelly Reilly, Steven Mackintosh, Shirley Henderson, Kevin Eldon
Written by Andy Goddard, Celyn Jones
On Demand, DVD & Blu-Ray
Available from 1 providers
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Set Fire to the Stars
The Press Reviews
57%
of critics recommend.
Rotten Tomatoes Score. More reviews on Rotten Tomatoes
Goddard makes atmospheric use of black-and-white cinematography and 1950s settings, but aside from one scene of drunken confession by the fireside in a Connecticut cabin, the story fails to engage. Full Review
It's a good-looking film, shot expressively in black-and-white, but in some ways it's like a sketch for a stage play. Full Review
Not exactly a revelation, but a novel take on the biopic format. Full Review
This ambitious low-budget Welsh drama never quite finds a way to make its emotional drama matter much to the audience. Full Review
There are solid turns from the leads but the drama never quite catches ablaze in the way you'd think the fiery Thomas would have wanted. Full Review
Think My Week With Marilyn but with Dylan Thomas and shot in luscious black and white and you've got some measure of Andy Goddard's debut feature. Full Review
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