Set Fire to the Stars

Released Jun 12, 2015

1 hr. 36 min.

Biography

Drama

List

58%

43 Reviews

Tomatometer

39%

250+ Ratings

Audience Score

In 1950, poet John Brinnin (Elijah Wood) invites Welsh poet Dylan Thomas (Celyn Jones) to New York and Connecticut, where he tries to detoxify the heavy-drinking writer.

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Critics Consensus

Set Fire to the Stars doesn't quite do justice to its legendary real-life protagonist, but thanks to Celyn Jones' spirited performance, it occasionally comes close.

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alastair m

As much as I would wish for a biopic of the rambunctious Welsh poet, this chapter of Dylan's life is gorgeously portrayed by Celyn Jones with a remarkably vivid screenplay that draws you into a world which astonishingly, was shot in a mere 18 days in Swansea, Wales. Bravo.

Rated 4 out of 5 stars

03/31/23

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Audience Member

Excellent film! Celyn Jones portrays Dylan Thomas perfectly!!

Rated 5 out of 5 stars

02/23/23

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Audience Member

This is a thoughtful film about a complex poet who struggled with his bad-boy reputation. I went to see it one evening out of interest in Dylan Thomas. The performance has stuck with me more than most films iï¿ 1/2(TM)ve seen. Elijah Wood plays John Brinnen, the academic who brings Thomas to the US, and struggles to contain a star that is burning brightly, but not for much longer. Itï¿ 1/2(TM)s a sensitive performance from Wood. Celyn Jones plays Thomas, and wrote the screenplay. Thomas was a larger than life character who played up a celebrity character the world wanted to see. Jones plays this part well, but it is always a struggle to play your heroes, especially in biopics where we can be confined by the settled dust. This is a film made on a small budget, but it has big heart. It has a Hollywood star, very much outside Hollywood, involved in playing the part of someone trying to deal with the clash between reality and celebrity. It has some good character performances, particularly by Shirley Henderson and Kelly Reilly. Iï¿ 1/2(TM)m a fan of Dylan Thomas, and wasnï¿ 1/2(TM)t sure iï¿ 1/2(TM)d Enjoy this, but was surprised as it focussed on a specific event in time and space where his world was falling apart. I rarely watch a film in the cinema more than once, but Iï¿ 1/2(TM)ve seen this twice. The first time because it was about Dylan Thomas; the second because it was an interesting film. I recommend it, and watch it a couple of times.

Rated 4 out of 5 stars

01/30/23

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Audience Member

One of my favourite films. An unexpected joy. Wonderful acting, writing, direction, cinematography & a fabulous soundtrack

Rated 5 out of 5 stars

01/21/23

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Audience Member

Doesn't Exactly Wash Well. The Stylised Telling Of Poetry Mixed With Thought-Pieces On Life, The Manoosha Of It All, Does Well.. But It Is A Slothful Blur Of Mish-Mashed Ideas. It Serves Well As Fodder For Film-School Analytics With Little To Go On Other Than Camera-Work & Editing, As The Acting Isn't Noteworthy At All.

Rated 1.5 out of 5 stars

02/21/23

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Audience Member

Set Fire to the Stars FullMovie Download Now => http://zalva-cinema.cf/play.php?id=3455740

Rated 3.5 out of 5 stars

02/21/23

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Andy Goddard

Director

Elijah Wood

John M. Brinnin

Celyn Jones

Dylan Thomas

Steven Mackintosh

Jack

Shirley Henderson

Shirley

Kevin Eldon

Stanley

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Gary Goldstein

Los Angeles Times

Gorgeous, evocative and well performed ...

Jun 18, 2015

Full Review

Joe McGovern

Entertainment Weekly

The film wallows too much in its subject's glumness, but it comes alive whenever TV actor and co-writer Celyn Jones, whose only previous film credit is 2005's Lassie, plays Thomas as a big shaggy dog.

Rated: B-

Jun 13, 2015

Full Review

Odie Henderson

RogerEbert.com

As tedious as "Set Fire to the Stars" gets, it remains watchable courtesy of the stunning black and white cinematography by Chris Seager.

Rated: 2/4

Jun 12, 2015

Full Review

Cameron Ward

One Room With A View

Summoning performances that saturate the screen, and dialogue that does just as much, Set Fire to the Stars proves to be as ambiguously affecting as its tortured source.

Rated: 4/5

Jun 15, 2019

Full Review

Ed Frankl

CineVue

This melancholic picture, filmed in South Wales, should make a fine addition to contemporary reflections on the famously roguish poet.

Rated: 3/5

Apr 3, 2019

Full Review

Hilary A White

Sunday Independent (Ireland)

Shot in jazzy black and white by cinematographer Chris Seager, and thundering with taste and tempo, Andy Goddard's film just sings.

Jun 6, 2016

Full Review

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Synopsis

In 1950, poet John Brinnin (Elijah Wood) invites Welsh poet Dylan Thomas (Celyn Jones) to New York and Connecticut, where he tries to detoxify the heavy-drinking writer.

Director: Andy Goddard
Executive Producer: Steve Clark-Hall, Adam Partridge, Samuel Potter, Simon Laub
Screenwriter: Andy Goddard, Celyn Jones
Distributor: Strand Releasing
Genre: Biography, Drama
Original Language: English
Release Date (Theaters): Jun 12, 2015, Limited
Release Date (Streaming): Oct 20, 2015
Box Office (Gross USA): $4.3K

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