Behind The Candelabra (2013)

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…