Set Fire to the Stars

This semi-biographical drama chronicles a week in the life of revered poet Dylan Thomas (Celyn Jones), following him as he embarks on a turbulent tour of performed readings in the United States during the early 1950s. Organising the tour is John Malcolm Brinnin (Elijah Wood), a buttoned-up academic who spends most of his time attempting to keep Thomas - a hero of his - out of trouble. Despite his best efforts, however, the duo are soon kicked out of their swanky hotel, and John decides that the best course of action is to relocate Thomas to his family cabin in remote Connecticut. Set Fire to the Stars benefits from crisp monochrome cinematography and two solid lead performances, but the end result feels somewhat flat, and it's difficult to see who the film will appeal to. Jones is enjoyable as the depressive genius, although Thomas's persistently unprofessional behaviour soon proves frustrating.