Review of Behind the Candelabra (2013) by Steve W — 12 Sep 2013

Behind the Candelabra is Steven Soderbergh's latest film based on the autobiographical novel written by Scot Thorson (Liberace's former lover). The film does a great job of recreating the flamboyant excess of Liberace's life and his hidden love affair with Thorson.

The performances from Matt Damon and Michael Douglas were very powerful and I believed their characters. I loved the look of the film and the 70's hairstyles and clothing is what stood out above everything else.

Damon and Douglas go through some physical changes, and the makeup was done really well. I never felt it was false. Despite the look of the film and the great performances I didn't feel there was anything special about the story.

I felt it was very formulaic and pretty much similar to any other romantic biopic I've seen before. There was nothing groundbreaking here. I was bored throughout several moments and have to admit I got distracted and didn't pay too much attention to the story during the midway point.

I didn't know anything about Liberace, but fans of the famous artist might enjoy this film which delves inside his private life.