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Set Fire to the Stars

5.8

/10

1527 people rated

2015•1 h 37 m•United Kingdom

An aspiring poet in 1950s New York has his ordered world shaken when he embarks on a week-long retreat to save his hell-raising hero, Dylan Thomas.

Biography

Drama

Cast (17)

John Malcolm Brinnin

Steven Mackintosh

Andrew Bicknell

Polly Hemingway

Shirley Henderson

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User Reviews

Sandra Gyasi

29/05/2023 12:17

source: Set Fire to the Stars

Megha_p1

23/05/2023 05:07

Film depicting how outrageous the famous poet could be when he was pampered all over with good reviews. His poor host did not have a clue how to treat his adored monster. The monster clearly had mental issues and maybe wanted to destroy his own image while climbing socially to poeple not knowing him. Moreover, maybe he had homosexual tendencies that he hated and took it on his homosexual host. He was in a way, trying to pop the bubble of his admiring fans and efficiently succeeding, to their dismay. How to say. We see this and we can only watch with horror how the english monster can be destructive.

Aseel

23/05/2023 05:07

This was so outside the bounds of phenomenal I don't know what I just saw or felt rather cause I watched this not through the facile orbs or through the fostering brain lamo filters oh no! I experienced this masterful wonder the only way one might extract true magic with the god given greatest gift ever, the soul! If you are the type of person that casts away poetry with rudimentary colloquial speech: "Oh no, I would never read that poetry is for F**S! then no, you don't need to watch this because unfortunately my rustic rube dolt you don't and shan't ever have a soul, its impossible for you were born into our great world meaty and thick wholly bereft of one, so yes, go on with your bad selves and do something else, I don't know and I don't want to know... Yes the penultimate scene or the last was so sweet, so thoughtful and affecting and touching that I couldn't help but reach out , if only I could, to do whatever I or we or God to save the awesomeness that is Mr. Thomas! But unfortunately, some people , god should of made two worlds, one for people with loving souls and the other for whatever I don't care I don't need to be there (tmi) who cares about that god awful planet... but unfortunately our artists have come down plop right into this disgusting living chimera , there is no choice :( (Last Scene) - me me me me, "terrorize someone else" says Dylan's cohort - where is the forebarance the empathy the humanity , the love in the harmony of sympathy , sympathy for not only ourselves but for our fellow man, the sympathy to regard otehrs no matter what their station in life as human beings, as our fellow brothers and sisters , the sympathy to ask and really mean it , how are you, terrorize someone else, he missed the whole thing, its whats wrong Dylan and can I help? yet in its simplicity therein presides its futility, for what can we truly say or do, even if Dylan stops everything what does it truly matter when those very feelings that drive him to self-destruct will yet exist inside him, but would it really, I mean would it still if we lived in a perfect world where everyone said, 'no, wait a minute no, no more, I'm going to be the best person I can be for the betterment of mankind" Would he or anyone for that matter still feel the need to self-destruct. Would we have those staunch daemons with whose importunate insidious agenda we would need to fight. John's self-indulgent comments belie anything altruistic when providing Dylan with any succor , it just makes everything no matter how sweet and nice seem like something done out of perfunctory duty thus never truly connecting from genuine affection. The acting to me seemed stellar and the script thoughtful and genuine, everything this was a work of art!

Damas

23/05/2023 05:07

Understated and stylish window into Dylan's later years. Both Celyn Jones and Elijah Wood offer up immersive performances in this affecting and brilliantly scripted film. There have been a handful of films and documentaries released to celebrate the centenary of Dylan Thomas- yet few stand on their own two feet as well as this. It's largely due to the focus on a specific period of Dylan's life and to the fact that the film is ultimately a beautifully observed portrait of a relationship between two men. You don't need to be a Dylan Thomas fan to enjoy this film: every scene could be a photograph, Gruff Rhys (of the super furry animals) has scored a soundtrack with echoes the jazz of some of Dylan's own poetry, and Kelly Reilly does a wonderful turn as Dylan's famous wife Caitlin. It is clear that both Andy (this is his directorial debut) and Celyn are talents to watch.

Mouradkissi

23/05/2023 05:07

This was an astonishing little film. What a performance from Elijah Wood. I did not know he had it in him. What can one say. Pitch perfect work. The Dylan Thomas character was great, and probably quite accurately portrayed, as a tormented soul. Great characters throughout, and excellent directing. The cinematography was breath takingly beautiful. If you are the literary sort, or enjoy poetry, this is quite a film. The locations were lovely, the sets were totally believable, the props were amazing, and the entire production was outstanding. If you are looking for a lot of action, take a pass. This film is all about drama.

MAYBY 😍🥰

23/05/2023 05:07

The tribulations of an uptight academic as he chaperons a wild artist on a poetry tour of stuffy American universities. This is beautifully made, especially the rhythm of the scenes in the first half. And it looks good, although there was something off about the Connecticut countryside - thought it might be Canada, never guessed it was Wales. The leads play well together, but the humour didn't hit the mark for me. I liked the actress who told the ghost story. What elevated this was when Caitlin came stalking through the woods like a witch and wrapped herself around Dylan - powerful performance. It came possibly too late, but it did spark the magic. Pity they didn't fit in another couple of scenes with that character, instead of waving the letter around like a threat. And I suppose they could have given a visual on Dylan's lyrics - although that might have turned out too wacky. The relay recitation of the poem was great. Music perfect.

Grace Lulu

23/05/2023 05:07

Superb reviews here of a magnificent film. One complaint. Too often the music kills the moment. When no-one is speaking, and also when someone is speaking, the scene would be more intense without musical sounds that intrude. Many years ago, in the 1940s I believe, H.L.Mencken wrote strongly of his irritation when musical sounds were introduced into films for dramatic effect. This is a film largely about the spoken word and human frailties, in brilliantly simple black-ands-white settings that are intimate whether in a field, a forest or a cabin. Of course it's merely personal opinion, but to me the music here merely clutters a classic.

Ewurakua Yaaba Yankey

23/05/2023 05:07

If, like me, before watching Set Fire to the Stars, your knowledge of Dylan Thomas was at best passing, don't worry. As an introduction to, or companion piece to, the great man's poetry, it's beautifully made, with sensitive performances from Elijah Wood and Celyn Jones and amazing photography from Chris Seagers. Set in 1950s America (although shot entirely in an unrecognisable Swansea), academic John Brinnin (Wood) ferries Thomas (Jones) from party to public engagement, hoping to learn from him. As the film progresses we see his puppyish adoration fade into an almost parental love and disappointed frustration, as the mercurial Thomas delights and annoys in equal measure. It's a testament to both actors that at no point does the film tip into Odd Couple/Withnail and I territory, despite the game of emotional see-saw that Wood and Jones have to play. Supporting roles from Shirley Henderson, Steven Mackintosh and Kevin Eldon underpin the main performances nicely and is a solid nod to the acting talent available yet so often overlooked in the UK. The technical aspects also hit all the marks. Whilst black and white can sometimes used to give a film more weight than it actually possesses, here it works. During a second-act storytelling scene with Henderson and Eldon, there's an Expressionist feel adding to the atmosphere. Gruff Rhys' soundtrack takes you back to the 50s without resorting to Beat Generation cliché, and the title track will stay with you for days. Set Fire to the Stars is a clear demonstration of what the UK Film industry can achieve when it's not churning out identikit gangster films or saccharine Richard Curtis romcoms - measured, intelligent and with a clear love for its subject matter. Well worth a watch.

Fantastic

23/05/2023 05:07

Beautifully shot in black and white, this film offers a unique insight into Dylan Thomas' tortured soul...and more It's a sensitive yet gritty portrayal that keeps you hooked throughout. Celyn Jones and Elijah Wood have a natural chemistry on screen in their respective roles, with top class acting completing this gorgeous work of art. Jones' energy and dynamism in particular is enthralling. Thoroughly recommend viewing. Oh, and the cinematography is stunning. Loved the ethereal appearance of Thomas' wife. Ps For someone that has not taken an interest in Dylan Thomas before, I am now officially inspired to read his work. Could you ask for any more?

Mohamed

23/05/2023 05:07

Everyone in the cinema was quite struck by the profound and beautiful movie that is "Set Fire To The Stars". You could see it in the faces of the audience, as each person figured out which message had the most resonance. This movie is much more than another biopic of an artist on the fringe of society. And for most audiences, it will be much more meaningful than Dylan Thomas's poetry. It took me a while to process the resonance for me in this movie. I had to filter the welcome enormity of Elijah Wood's screen presence and Celyn Jones' powerful persona. But they gave me enough gentle nudges and artistic clues under Andy Goddard's direction to lead me to the following conclusion: the purpose of this film is to unravel some of the mysteries of male friendship, and to lift the veil on hero worship (which Elijah must experience on the other side, in his real life) and, of course, where Dylan helped, it was on the transformative power of words. With all this colour going on, the superb aesthetic of the black and white film compliments the mood nicely. Tantalisingly the film gives no pithy answers, or sound-bitten sentimentalism. Instead I need to look inside myself, and perhaps within the poetry of Dylan Thomas, to find some of those answers. Or maybe I just need to watch it again. This review also needs to pay justice to the sheer entertainment value that is throughout the movie. I loved it - from start to finish. Elijah's performance is incredible. Celyn's character is jaw- droppingly intriguing (and believable), and the music from Gruff Rhys (of Super Furry Animals fame) is beautiful at all times and crosses a range of genres and styles. Everything is in balance, except Dylan's psyche - and that's what makes it fun! This is a monumental achievement, where intellectualism and pure fun entertainment ride side by side. Perhaps it is the start of a new genre - where intellectual movies have taken their heads out of the clouds and are doing it with a smile. I'm sure that's how Dylan would have wanted it to be.