Review of Behind the Candelabra (2013) by Mario M — 09 Dec 2013

BRAVO TO THE CAST AND CREW OF BEHIND THE CANDELABRA!! The acting alone is worthy of Oscar nominations especially by Michael Douglas who as God is my witness is transformed into the flamboyant Liberace.

I stared at his character and you do not see a fragment of Douglas, what you see is another man entirely, a gay, effeminate, talented and amazing pianist named Liberace that briefly falls in love with a much younger man named Scott Thorson played by Matt Damon.

The film covers their secretive five year long affair and the scandals that ensued after Liberace tosses Scott for a younger man. It was surprising to find out that most fans of Liberace back in the 70's and 80's did not suspect he was gay and even thought he had a female lover! Liberace apparently won some lawsuits against publications that libeled him for alleging he was homosexual but in the end the truth hits you full force when it is discovered he died of AIDS complications.

I totally agree with what Robert Bianco from USA Today said and I quote: "Candelabra is a visual feast. It shines brightest in those moments where it captures the rhythms of a relationship in its first blush of affection and its seemingly inevitable collapse.

" I think Liberace was the best pianist that ever lived. His showmanship, extravagant lifestyle and candelabras speak for themselves and his mansion was a dream where many men enjoyed nights of passion.

Again bravo to the cast and crew of this film that was a visual delight and I HIGHLY RECOMMEND THIS GEM!