Starring: Celyn Jones, Kelly Reilly, Elijah Wood
Set Fire To The Stars
Director: Andy Goddard
Rating: 3/5
Andy Goddard is best known for his TV work with the likes of Downton Abbey, Law & Order: UK and Torchwood under his belt in recent years, this week he makes the transition to feature film with Set Fire to the Stars.
This independent Welsh drama is one of the most unique movies to hit the big screen this weekend and is a must see if you are looking for something a little different or a break from the mainstream.
Set in 1950's New York and starring Elijah Wood as John Malcolm Brinnin, the aspiring young American poet who finds his ordered world shaken when he embarks on a week-long retreat to save his hell-raising hero, Dylan Thomas, played by Celyn Jones.
First and foremost, Set Fire To The Stars really is a beautiful looking movie - there really are not enough black and white movies hitting the big screen these days.
Dylan Thomas is one of the most interesting and beguiling literary figures of all time, and while this is just a snapshot into his life, this story really is incredibly engaging from the word go.
Celyn Jones delivers a full throttle performance as Thomas: a larger than life character that was an infantile and unpredictable as he was a genius. This makes for an intriguing watch, as you never quite know which aspect of Thomas Jones is going to explore and deliver from scene to scene.
We haven't seen too much of Elijah Wood on the big screen this year, but he gives another terrific performance as John Malcolm Brinnin - a huge fan of Thomas' work - together Wood and Jones make a really great team.
While Set Fire to the Stars is a beautiful and engaging drama, this is a biopic project that doesn't fully spread its wings, which I think is a real shame - perhaps it is just missing that emotional punch that would transfix audiences.
Having said all that, Set Fire to the Stars is a movie that has been beautifully crafted, and with every scene and moment you can see that Goddard and the cast we committed to telling this story.
This movie is an interesting drama that is packed with some really great performances from the main cast. Perhaps it is not as emotional and as rounded a drama as it could have been, that doesn't stop it from being a fascinating and enjoyable watch.