Review of Behind the Candelabra (2013) by Meredith W — 10 Jul 2013

Directed by Steven Soderbergh, "Behind the Candelabra" tells of the six years that Scott Thorson (Matt Damon) spent with lover Liberace (Michael Douglas), a whirlwind romance of sex, drugs, plastic surgery extravagance and music. All the while their love must remain secret from Liberace's fans. Thorson soon learns that he is just a toy to the legend and that eventually Liberace will move on.

The acting is noteworthy all around. Rob Lowe is hilarious and Matt Damon is impressive, however, it is Michael Douglas who delivers a stellar performance. It would have been easy to portray Liberace with camp theatricality but rather, he captures the duality of his character as both tender lover and wannabe protector to power hungry and controlling tyrant. And his portrayal of the late Liberace's voice and mannerisms is uncannily authentic.

The film feels faithfully grand throughout; indeed, the way in which Liberace's extravagant lifestyle is presented is impressive. The big studios passed on this film as they thought it would be 'too gay', yet the film is never judgmental. On stage Liberace lived a life of champagne wishes and caviar dreams. But behind the glitz and the glamour, we glimpse the flawed, all-too-human and imperfect everyman who is uncomfortable in his skin.