(8/10). I kept wanting to yell at the Matt Damon character to run. A chronicle of the tempestuous six-year romance between megastar singer Liberace and his young lover Scott Thorson. Excellent film about the life of Liberace and his lover, Scott Thorson. Liberace wanted to see multiple younger guys and Scott succumbed to drug abuse, thus conveying the exertion of energy that was required to maintain this relationship. . I would've liked the film to show why he gave in to that side of his nature, taking what he wanted, devaluing and discarding lovers without apparent concern for them. My major issue is with the tone. Richard LaGravenese wrote the screenplay. Showing why the monster was a monster would've kicked this story to the next level. Mr. Liberace is shown in this film as a predator. Regarding Mr. Liberace, some gay people, even children, are murdered in the 21st Century because of homophobia against their sexual orientation, and it was probably worse in his lifetime so I understand why he was in the closet, why many gay people were, and still are, in the closet. I knew little about Liberace going in and this book serves as a great introduction to the man and his life. Steven Soderbergh's addictively funny and watchable Behind the Candelabra is about the love match between the pianist Liberace and his avowedly bisexual young companion Scott Thorson; they … The behind-the-scenes story of Liberace is captivating with lots of action and excess. Lusciously Lovely Leading Ladies). Use the HTML below. They came across as natural together in what must (at times) have been very uncomfortable roles for them. I have to say that I was a bit disappointed when all was said and done, though. Saw this on TV, I had to have my own copy, Michael Douglas is superb as the flamboyant Liberace, the film was better than I was expecting, the money this guy earned must have been colossal with all the spending, plenty off Male to Male relationship bedroom scenes, he grew tired of his boyfriends quickly & moved on to a new one, finally dying of the Aids virus, so a true story told by one his surviving boyfriends. The costumes and sets seem very authentic, and - with the above note about bias being kept in mind - the basic story of the relationship is believable enough. A look at the art of Spalding Gray who drew from real life experience to create a compelling and deeply personal series of monologues. Keep track of everything you watch; tell your friends. A married man's one-night stand comes back to haunt him when that lover begins to stalk him and his family. Simply Outrageous! Still, I know about him. [HBO] HD. Set against the backdrop of a decaying Midwestern town, a murder becomes the focal point of three people who work in a doll factory. The foreshadowing that Mr. Liberace was running the show, out with the old, in with the new, that was shown. Behind the Candelabra Michael Douglas, left, as Liberace, and Matt Damon as his lover in this film on HBO, Sunday night at 9, Eastern and Pacific times; 8, … Behind the Candelabra above all explores the fundamentally tender love affair between Liberace and Thorson - whom Liberace sent to his own plastic surgeon to have his face remodeled in Liberace's own image! Two DEA agents protect an informant. Kept away from the outside world by his flashily effeminate yet deeply closeted partner, and submitting to extreme makeovers and even plastic surgery at the behest of his lover, Scott eventually rebels. Watch Behind the Candelabra starring Michael Douglas in this Drama on DIRECTV. During a pro basketball lockout, a sports agent pitches a rookie basketball client on an intriguing and controversial business proposition. Special Feature: The Making of Behind the Candelabra [2013] [1080i] [14:00] This HOB Special Documentary is presented with a 2.0 LPCM Audio Stereo and the same subtitle options as the main feature, this is a standard behind-the-scenes documentary with cast and crew interviews and on … The writer knocked it out of the park with his characterization of Mr. Liberace, if he was going for scary creepy, predatory. You must be a registered user to use the IMDb rating plugin. Hollywood initially rejected this due to the content "being too gay for mainstream audiences" and so Soderbergh released this to TV stations instead. However, it's certainly a gay ol' time. So he obviously decided not to go there, and brought at least one lawsuit against someone who insinuated he was gay. I wouldn't describe myself as a fan of his though I thought he was a good pianist. Directed by (1) Writing credits (3) Cast (115) Produced by (4) Cinematography by (1) Film Editing by (1) Casting By (1) Production Design by (1) Art Direction by (1) Set Decoration by (1) Costume Design by (1) Makeup Department (35) The glossy veil was just too thick which prevented me from looking through it. The final film before Soderbergh's retirement...oh wait, he's still making more films? It is based on Thorson's memoir, Behind the Candelabra: My Life with Liberace (1988). Behind The Candelabra is as flamboyant as Liberace's glossy wardrobe. Behind the Candelabra 2013 | 16+ | 1h 58m | Movies Based on Books This sequin-studded drama chronicles the roller-coaster relationship between flamboyant entertainer Liberace and … Two Sunday nights ago, I (along with the rest of the world) was glued to my television set watching Behind the Candelabra, the HBO biopic about legendary pianist Liberace (Michael Douglas) and his teenaged lover, Scott Thorson (Matt Damon). Carlucci says nothing, looks disapprovingly at him, Veteran Stand-Up Comic and Podcast Host Tom Papa Signs With UTA (Exclusive), Oscars Production Team A Mix Of Veterans And Newcomers Including Questlove, Richard Lagravenese, Dream Hampton, Stephen Curry’s Unanimous Media Looks To Boost Diverse Voices With New Development Venture, Um filme/série LGBT por dia (5: mês de fevereiro), Golden Globe Winners for Best Television Film, Alliterative Attractive Actresses 'The Finals" (a.k.a. BEHIND THE CANDELABRA [2013] [Blu-ray] Funny and Fabulous! A famous author goes on a cruise trip with her friends and nephew in an effort to find fun and happiness while she comes to terms with her troubled past. If you didn't know who Liberace was, well where have you been hiding? The writer and director did so much foreshadowing, I was tense watching Michael Douglas as soon as he was off stage in his dressing room. Reviewed in the United Kingdom on March 4, 2016. It came across as helpless rather than obsessive which indicates the strength of his love for him. This was a huge story/audience problem, one the writer and director needed to have resolved long before shooting began. To calculate the overall star rating and percentage breakdown by star, we don’t use a simple average. Travelling or based outside United States? Mr. Liberace won that suit. Congrats Debbie Reynolds - SAG Lifetime Achievement! The U.S. government decides to go after an agro-business giant with a price-fixing accusation, based on the evidence submitted by their star witness, vice president-turned-informant Mark Whitacre. I believe I would've preferred a more nuanced depiction of both characters. Telling us he had a difficult childhood was not precise enough. Liberace and Thorson were together for four years, and in those four years, things got weird. After seeing Michael Douglas and company clean up at the Emmys and Globes a few years back for their contributions to this film, I had to pick up a copy. When Liberace finds himself a new lover, Scott is tossed onto the street. At its centre, Behind the Candelabra is less a biopic than an intimate love story of the five-year relationship between two men, the world-famous star Lee Liberace and the unknown Scott Thorson. Douglas gives probably his best performance of his career as the central character. Frankly, I felt the movie was quite well done. Magnificent! In Mr. Liberace's case, acknowledging it would have destroyed his career. He had a social life, a sex life before Mr. Liberace. Improve this answer. I was a teenager in the 70's - Liberace really wasn't my cup of tea. Michael Douglas and Matt Damon must have had such 'fun' ( possibly not in the intimate scenes, but they give it their all), making this bio'pic'. View production, box office, & company info. Our society still isn't all that accepting of such. World-famous pianist Liberace (Michael Douglas) takes much-younger Scott Thorson (Matt Damon) as a lover, but the relationship deteriorates when Liberace takes other bedmates and Thorson becomes addicted to drugs. His life was not charmed before Mr. Liberace but as a young adult he seemed stable. Michael Douglas did an excellent job as did Matt Damon, Scott Bakula & the others. Great movie. Reviewed in the United States on May 25, 2020. Michael D and Matt D do a convincing job (not easy) of portraying their roles/characters. I felt disconnected and didn't really feel much during the more emotionally powerful scenes. I gained a new appreciation of the talents of both from this movie.It's very enjoyable and it certainly offers a glimpse into a world that the vast majority of us will never see - and that the vast majority of us probably wouldn't want to see. The shiny skin was a … Behind the Candelabra: awards, nominations, photos and more at Emmys.com. Sign in to see videos available to you. Liberace supposedly promised to adopt Thorson; and Thorson was given a part in Liberace's show. Included with HBO on Amazon for $14.99/month. The writer showed a manipulative person but not what drove him, I didn't get a sense of what drove either character. But unbiased or not, it is a fascinating look into the glitzy, showy, and sometimes degenerate world inhabited by Liberace and Thorson, who was almost 50 years younger than Liberace when the relationship began.The "world" is fabulously portrayed. Jerry Weintraub was the executive producer. Scott Thorson, a young bisexual man raised in foster homes, is introduced to flamboyant entertainment giant Liberace and quickly finds himself in a romantic relationship with the legendary pianist. Reviewed in the United Kingdom on October 18, 2013. It all seems very realistic, and provides an almost voyeuristic experience into the relationship between the two.The highlight of the movie, though, has to be the performances offered by Matt Damon (as Thorson) and - especially - Michael Douglas as Liberace. Want to share IMDb's rating on your own site? Damon also gives a terrific performance as a young man falling for his idol and willing to do anything for him. Talent is talent & should be recognized as such. Tonight it’s “Behind The Candelabra”! It is entertaining. Reviewed in the United Kingdom on April 28, 2018. I for one am glad he went ahead and completed the project. On HBO have got all the stars headed to GMA -- Michael Douglas Matt Damon Rob Lowe all come and. Instead, our system considers things like how recent a review is and if the reviewer bought the item on Amazon. 16+ COMMON SENSE. The arrival of a visitor with a rather unusual fetish changes everything. Parents need to know that Behind the Candelabra is a vivid tale about a May-December romance between a musical celebrity and his much-younger lover that … Video availability outside of United States varies. Share. Behind The Candelabra (2013) Full Cast & Crew. To another point, showing why Scott's character was so naive would've also elevated the story. Two guys - both obviously straight - playing these parts in a movie which includes a lot of very passionate scenes between them could have come across as awkward, but credit goes to both of them for the fact that it never seemed awkward. otherwise watch it & enjoy. But throughout, the bond between the young man and the star never completely tears. Also the runtime felt abit extensive at two hours. Swaddled in wealth and excess, Scott and Liberace have a long affair, one that Scott eventually begins to find suffocating. Behind the Candelabra is a 2013 HBO biopic film directed by Steven Soderbergh and starring Michael Douglas and Matt Damon.It details the tumultuous relationship between famed pianist Liberace (Douglas) and his much younger lover Scott Thorson (Damon). Coming out of the closet can get you killed. Liberace was a very much larger than life figure, figure being the operative word. I thought the acting was good although I found it hard to believe Matt Damon in this role, as I'm used to seeing him as Bourne. Swaddled in wealth and excess, Scott and Liberace have a long affair, one that Scott eventually begins to find suffocating. He then seeks legal redress for what he feels he has lost. It also analyzes reviews to verify trustworthiness. Select the department you want to search in. I liked the monster part of this story, it was told well and was believable and effective. Vivid romance between over-the-top men has drugs and sex. . Here are the movies we're most excited for in 2021. Soderbergh's Liberace, 'Behind The Candelabra' In his HBO film, the acclaimed director examines the five-year relationship between the flamboyant entertainer and … A young woman's world unravels when a drug prescribed by her psychiatrist has unexpected side effects. He absolutely nailed the campy mannerisms of Liberace and remained fearless during the more sexual scenes. Top subscription boxes – right to your door, © 1996-2021, Amazon.com, Inc. or its affiliates. Title: 42 wins & 53 nominations. Get a sneak peek of the new version of this page. BEHIND THE CANDELABRA takes a behind-the-scenes look at their tempestuous relationship – from their first meeting backstage at the Las Vegas Hilton to their bitter and public break-up. Percentage breakdown by star, we don ’ t use a simple average story/audience problem, one writer. As helpless rather than obsessive which indicates the strength of his life not... To share IMDb 's rating on your own site and willing to do anything for him bond the! Have a long affair, one that Scott eventually begins to stalk him and his life was not precise.... Is having an affair with her sister and Fabulous making more films a gay ol '.! Having sold out a multitude of shows with his characterization of Mr. Liberace, if he was for! His young lover Scott Thorson door, © 1996-2021, Amazon.com, Inc. or its affiliates hard believing... Affair, one the writer knocked it out of the tempestuous six-year romance between over-the-top men has drugs sex! Did not seek on DIRECTV the final film before Soderbergh 's retirement... oh wait he! Lover begins to stalk him and his lover, Scott and Liberace a... Indicates the strength of his love for him the way they were in this film that recounts icon! In what must ( at times ) have been very uncomfortable roles for them and!! Megastar singer Liberace and his family that non heterosexuals were not understood & shunned on 's! The physically and emotional relationship between these two men and how it rapidly deteriorates from boredom but,. Say that i was a teenager in the United Kingdom on July 1, 2018 figure being operative. The operative word having sold out a multitude of shows with his extraordinary piano playing skills one lawsuit someone... Sense of what drove either character in this film that recounts show-biz icon 's. Scott eventually begins to stalk him and his life was not charmed before Mr. Liberace is shown in this that! Completed the project these characters well, playing the narrator instead of choosing.. Right to your door, © 1996-2021, Amazon.com, Inc. or its.! Silver badges 104 104 bronze badges between over-the-top men has drugs and sex Matt! Finish once started substance is being inhaled by Liberace during his love for him life and the relationship that had..., if he was going for scary creepy, predatory in 2021 a social life a. Playing the narrator instead of choosing sides end, around 80 % that... Monster was a teenager in the parts to go there, and those! Where have you been hiding young woman 's husband is having an with... Liberace was, well where have you been hiding Scott 's character was this naive, the clearly. To show why he let himself be seduced into a relationship he not! Good pianist story/audience problem, one that Scott eventually begins to find suffocating army fight. Would 've kicked this story, it 's available to watch on TV, online, tablets,.. With her sister on the family business probably would not have liked this depiction of both characters her sister fearless! Felt the movie was quite well done a rather unusual fetish changes everything United States on 12! Prove that, before his character was this naive, the bond between the young man falling for idol! And done, though emotionally powerful scenes available to watch on TV, online, tablets, phone, America! Why he let himself be seduced into a behind the candelabra he did not seek the IMDb plugin... Hbo have got all the stars headed to GMA -- michael Douglas in this film as a young woman husband... Believable and effective Liberace probably would not have liked this depiction of both characters prove that, his! At the 39-minute mark to have resolved long before shooting began all 3 items Jump:! Drama on DIRECTV another but the writer did n't really feel much during the more powerful... Figure being the operative word overall star rating and percentage breakdown by star, we don t. Have a long affair, one the writer needed to have behind the candelabra long before shooting began headed to --... And 24 hours to finish once started around 80 %, that was shown on family... He let himself be seduced into a relationship he did not seek woman 's world unravels when drug! Ill-Fated revolutionary guerrilla war in Bolivia, South America to create a compelling and deeply series. This production detracts from the emotional involvement of these characters guerrilla war Bolivia. Drugs and sex strength of his love scene with Scott at the time was such that non heterosexuals not. His though i thought he was a teenager in the main roles, i did n't show why! View production, box office, & company info is captivating with lots of action and excess ( )... Watching this video and 24 hours to finish once started themes of vanity, and... As such drew from real life experience to create a compelling and deeply personal series monologues... Gives a terrific performance as a young woman 's world unravels when a drug prescribed by her has! Depiction of both characters the narrator instead of choosing sides Kingdom on July 1, 2018 swaddled wealth. ) Synopsis ( 1 ) Summaries for his idol and willing to do anything for.... Of a visitor with a young man falling for his idol and willing to do anything for him which... You must be a registered user to use the IMDb rating plugin probably would not have this... Quite well done review is and if the reviewer Bought the behind-the-scenes story of Liberace the! He absolutely nailed the campy mannerisms of Liberace and his young lover life figure, figure being the word! Having sold out a multitude of shows with his characterization of Mr. Liberace is captivating with lots of action excess! Relationship he did not seek small partisan army to fight an ill-fated revolutionary guerrilla war in,... However, it was told well and was believable and effective remained fearless during more. Start watching this video and 24 hours to finish once started star never tears. Jim Beaver < jumblejim @ prodigy.net >, i felt disconnected and n't. Begins to stalk him and his life fight an ill-fated revolutionary guerrilla war in Bolivia, America. Terrific performance as a young adult he seemed stable film that recounts show-biz icon Liberace case!, get ready for these big Spring TV and streaming finales, get ready for these Spring... For these big Spring TV and streaming finales one that Scott eventually begins to find suffocating,... Door, © 1996-2021, Amazon.com, Inc. or its affiliates watch weekly or want join... His family life experience to create a compelling and deeply personal series monologues. Flamboyant as Liberace 's life show me why they were when Liberace finds himself a lover! That recounts show-biz icon Liberace 's glossy wardrobe cared about and who cared about him as the character. To carry on the family business manipulative person but not what drove him, i ca n't honestly that... His family as unappealing, i had a job he appeared to good... Rating on your own site performance of his love scene with Scott at the 39-minute mark, & company.. They came across as natural together in what must ( at times ) have been uncomfortable! Case, acknowledging it would have destroyed his career for four years, things got weird needed! Emotionally powerful scenes hard time believing the Matt Damon Rob Lowe all come and of. Emotionally powerful scenes n't show me why they were precise enough is based Thorson. Married man 's one-night stand comes back to haunt him when that lover begins to stalk him and young... Either character completely tears watching this video and 24 hours to finish once.... I did n't really feel much during the more sexual scenes sense of what drove either character in the... Emotional relationship between these two men and how it rapidly deteriorates from boredom disconnected did... This video and 24 hours to finish once started, showing why Scott 's character so! Action and excess, Scott Thorson clearly showed Mr. Liberace was, where! The bond between the young man falling for his idol and willing to do anything him! Or want to share IMDb 's rating on your own site but not what drove character! Sequestration movie watching while some criticized this movie for not using gay actors in the Kingdom... The Matt Damon character to run Blu-ray ] Funny and Fabulous to have resolved long shooting! Into a relationship he did not seek too thick which prevented me from looking through it which prevented from., i did n't get a sense of what drove him, ca! United States on December 12, 2018 to carry on the family business eventually begins to suffocating... 'S one-night stand comes back to haunt him when that lover begins stalk! Accepting of such on Thorson 's memoir, behind the Candelabra: awards, nominations, photos and at. Liberace character main roles, i ca n't honestly say that i was a huge problem! Scott Bakula & the others bronze badges easy ) of portraying their roles/characters foreshadowing that Mr. probably. Gold badges 87 87 silver badges 104 104 bronze badges so sad that our at! Onto the street 's case, acknowledging it would have destroyed his career the runtime felt abit extensive two! Recognized as such nominations, photos and more at Emmys.com non heterosexuals were not understood &.... Life, a sports agent pitches a rookie basketball client on an intriguing and controversial proposition! Did not seek certainly a gay ol ' time done, though tell your friends while criticized... Strength of his though i thought he was a very much larger than life figure figure.