During the high point of his career pianist Liberace was the highest paid entertainer in the world. His shows, just as his outfits, were extravagant and flamboyant. He was extremely popular and kept his public image under control. He made sure that nobody saw his private side as he knew that if people knew he was gay that he would lose a big part of his fans. With Behind the Candelabra director Steven Soderbergh looks into that private life.
We are introduced to Scott Thorson (Matt Damon), an animal trainer for movies. Through a mutual friend he gets introduced to Liberace (Michael Douglas) and it does not take long before the two become inseparable. Scott moves into Liberace’s home and receives everything he could want. The two grow close together, but as they do Liberace want to keep everything under control and slowly wants to transform Scott into a younger version of himself, even physically by hiring a plastic surgeon, Dr. Jack Startz (Rob Lowe). As time progresses the relationship between Liberace and Scott slowly starts to change.
Visually the movie manages to make clear what a showmanship Liberace had. The sets look beautiful as do the outfits, perfectly capturing everything which made Liberace a star. Michael Douglas really transforms and breathes life into his role of the bigger-than-life entertainer. Matt Damon is worth mentioning too. Even though he already is in his 40’s you wouldn’t know from watching this. He acts in a very innocent way, a young man still looking for new experiences and is swept away by Liberace. Douglas and Damon make the chemistry between the two characters work. Rob Lowe is worth mentioning too. I do not know what was done with his makeup but in his role as a plastic surgeon he looks creepy and unnatural (which I found to be very entertaining). With Behind the Candelabra Soderbergh has succeeded in bringing the story of Liberace to the big screen and make it an engaging watch.
Nicely reviewed as always my friend.
Thanks a lot
I have got to put this one in my queue. Good point about Rob Lowe. In the trailers that I have seen I have thought the same thing.
I read an interview with him and makeup took about an hour and a half and apparently it was quite painful to get his face into such an unnatural looking state.
I had mixed feelings about it. It was good, but raw.
You did? What didn’t you like about it Marilyn?
It was emotionally painful to watch. Which would have been easier to swallow it there had been more evidence of Liberace’s art. He was an amazing artist — one of the finest pianists of his generation — and that is nearly lost in the angst. They talk about it, but don’t show it.
I guess they could have expanded a little on that indeed. They did show little parts of the shows, but I agree if that they fleshed it out more it could have added.
Better than I expected, but then again, it is Soderbergh and the guy never makes a movie he doesn’t feel like doing himself. Good review Nostra.
That is true. Thanks Dan!
Damn shame none of the Aussie television networks are currently picking this up. I really wanna see it!!!
One can only hope for a DVD release soon!
Well, it might turn up in the cinema over there. It is playing here.
I never even seen the real Liberace before this movie was announced ahah. I might give it a rent just to see Douglas n Damon together, but can’t say I’m super eager to see it.
Me neither, but Douglas makes him an appealing character. I was curious to see it because of the actors and was happy I did as I do think it is one of the better movies out this year.
I thought it was good as far as it went, but when it was over, Garry and I looked at each other and both said — “Not one single performance?” If everyone is going to suffer, they ought to have a good reason, like great art 🙂 I agree, the performances were excellent.
There were some part of performances but like you say no complete ones. I get your point but personally it didn’t bother me.
It probably bothered me more because I am a pianist, and bothered Garry because his brother is a conductor and music has been a big thing in his world. I have my degree in music … so I expect a bio about a musician to include a lot of music!
Yeah, I can understand then that you would have loved to see more…