Set Fire to the Stars

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.

Though not really my thing at all, the film was well structured.

Set Fire to the Stars tells the story of Dylan Thomas during his time with poet John Brinnin as he helped him in his spoken word tour.

Set Fire to the Stars attempts to be as intense as the artist that it's based on and portray a life that's both wild and sad. The type of story we'd expected about a 1950s poet I guess.

It can be amusing. Most appealing for artist who either think there Dylan Thomas or feel like John taking care of Dylan.

It's a very cool title, and it has cool art direction somewhere between fact and fiction that glamorizes the world of Dylan Thomas lives in, though Dylan is not that glamorous.

Very cool cinematography as well. the Black and white really sets the mood. Also loved how the music blended into it. The technical film aspects put you in the illusion that the movie really was made in 1952.

One really great highlight was when the actors recited the words of the writer's they play.

A pure motion painting that really captures the time period it's about.

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?

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.

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.