Review of Behind the Candelabra (2013) by Peter C — 13 Jun 2013

If the sign of a really good film is one that takes you out of yourself, transports you to another time and place, evokes a cathartic response, gives you a greater understanding of human behaviour and/or makes you feel better about yourself, then Behind The Candelabra is close to being such a film.

Yet, for all that I liked about it, there is a lot I am ambivalent about. Hence the following mish-mash of contradictory criticism and praise.

Firstly, the supporting cast and lead actors (Michael Douglas and Matt Damon, who play Liberace and Scott Thorson, his lover and chauffer, respectively) give stellar performances. However, therein lies the problem: the fact that they are star actors actually got in the way of the characters they were portraying and the relationship they were trying to show. Throughout I kept thinking, "that's Michael Douglas kissing Matt Damon", "that's Matt Damon wearing a thong" "that's Michael Douglas and Matt Damon slipping into a hot tub together" etc. I think I would have believed in the relationship even more if the leads had been played by less or non-famous actors. Though, I also realise that the film probably wouldn't have seen the light of day (it never even made it to the cinemas in America) if actors of their calibre hadn't got on board. As they say in Hollywood, "That's Entertainment".

Similarly, as much as I thought the film charted the highs and lows of their relationship very well and studiously replicated the era in which they lived, I thought overall it was heavy on the glitz and light on the grit. It didn't shy away from the more seedy and sour aspects of their relationship (jealousy, envy, obsession, manipulation, sex shops etc), but I thought there was a lack of dramatic action and tension which could have been ramped up by exploring the societal pressures on both men to be open about their sexualities. For example, Scott Thorson's battle at reconciling his sexual feelings towards women as well as men and Liberace's strenuous efforts to deny all allegations of his homosexuality and AIDS-related illness. The characters spoke at length about these struggles, but the film didn't show them in action. The usual "show don't tell" criticism.

Ambivalent grumbles aside, I still found it to be a thoroughly satisfying film and with cracking put downs like, "In gay years, you're Judy during the Sid Luft obese period," the two hours passed merrily away at a Doris Day Whip-crack-away speed.

Douglas *is* immense. Damon reprises his haunted Talented Mr Ripley persona to a tee. Rob Lowe, as a leather faced cosmetic surgeon, comically steals every scene he's in. Dan Aykroyd is wonderfully droll as Liberace's manager. And the ending - as cheesy, camp and OTT as you could possibly imagine - strangely uplifting and moving.

A solid 4 out of 5.