If nothing else, “Set Fire to the Stars” certainly has its heart in the right place. This low-budget black-and-white British indie depicts a snapshot in the life of ill-fated Welsh poet Dylan Thomas and there are moments in the film that feel pretty inspired. The few instances where it breaks away from its tight, humdrum structure and simply allows these characters to breathe, that’s where the movie shows promise. Director Andy Goddard wrote “Set Fire to the Stars” with actor Celyn Jones, who plays Thomas. The story Goddard and Jones attempt to tell is inherently fascinating, but their approach to the subject matter is just a little too dull and safe for any of the drama to be effective. Making matters worse is an overly tidy directorial style that too often keeps the audience at arm's length, preventing us from connecting with the characters. This doesn’t mean “Set Fire to the Stars” is an all-out bad film, but it’s most definitely a disappointment.
Not every poet has a life that’s...
