Review of Behind the Candelabra (2013) by Allan C — 09 Jun 2013

Fascinating and darkly humorous biopic about Liberace (Michael Douglas) and his relationship with Scott Thorson (Damon), who would, in real-life, later be connected to the Wonderland Murders that would later be the basis of the films "Boogie Nights" and "Wonderland.

" Douglas and Damon both give strong performances, though casting the 42 year-old Damon as the teenage Thorson seems somewhat of a stretch. The film is definitely not a tabloid tell-all type of story (though it is based upon Thornson's book about Liberace) and is more a story about celebrity loneliness and makes Liberace out to be more of a sad and tragic figure.

He's trapped by his own celebrity and part of the old Hollywood system where he would never consider coming out, regardless of how flamboyant he is in public. There's also some good supporting players that includes Scott Bakula as a friend of Damon, Dan Aykroyd as Liberace's manager, Rob Lowe as his very odd looking plastic surgeon and Debbie Reynolds as his mom.

The film also represents two significant lasts; director Soderbergh said this will be his last film as director for the time being and it is also the last film to feature a musical score by composer Marvin Hamlisch.