Before the greats Elvis, Elton John and
lady Gaga there was of course Liberace. A virtuoso pianist, an flamboyant and
outrageous entertainer and huge star of the stage and television. He was a
world-renowned performer who had extravagant shows with Candelabras. Liberace created a huge fan base that
expanded over 40 years with loyal fans. Liberace lived a exquisite and lavish
lifestyle with the utmost excess on and off stage. The summer of 77’ a handsome
young stranger ‘Scott Thorson walked into his dressing room and despite their
age difference and seemingly different worlds, the two embarked a highly
secretive love affair. Candelabra is a behind the scenes look the couples
tempestuous relationship- from the pairs first meeting backstage in Las Vegas
Hilton to their bitter and twisted public breakup.
Thought you had seen the last of Steven
Soderbergh creating films with side effects? Well he never will truly leave the
industry for sure in the UK at least he has one more: a triumph, magnificent,
fabulous gem studded encore featuring a pair of performances that screams award
nomination and Oscar winning had the film been deemed ‘too gay’ for a US
Theatrical release. Americans have to flick to the un popular channels to find
‘Behind the candelabra’ Us lucky Brits can behold Michael Douglas fearless,
transformative, Ass groping Walter ‘lee’ Liberace on the big screen.
In shakier hands the TV budget would glare
almost as much as Mr. Liberace’s dentures, but Soderbergh turns his limitations
into fantastic visual choices we are never under exposed to the secret life of
Liberace.
In an odd way Michael Douglas has the
easier deal. Sure Michael Douglas has to throw himself into some perhaps
uncomfortable positions (For a man who so ruggedly hetero throughout his
career) but its all questions of ostentatious- even though with exquisite
irony. Liberace remained firmly within the closet until his death, and even for
a short while after. It’s the sequins the charming grin, the colours, flagrant
gesticulation and lines like “ I call this palatial kitsch. Don’t you just love
it?” Although big applause to Douglas
for pulling it off with sensitivity and sympathy; given the behind the scenes
story is told from someone else point of view who was ultimately wronged by
Liberace, he could have come off as some kind of monstrous, predatory peacock.
In this film its Matt Damon, as the wronged
party, who impresses most, though. It is one of the hardest role to play he is
the non-showy one, somehow we accept Scott as being quietly assured rather than
nervous, just a little unworldly rather than cripplingly naïve rube. We see
Liberace using Scott as a discarded house doll who was at the beginning
seemingly fussed over appropriately oddly, to the sheer power of Liberace’s
personality.
Who’d of thought that Michael Douglas and
Matt Damon would make a convincing and astonishing on screen couple? Steven
Soderbergh, that’s who…
