Behind The Candelabra (2013)

A chronicle of the tempestuous six-year romance between megastar singer Liberace and his young lover Scott Thorson.

Director:

Steven Soderbergh

Writers:

Richard LaGravenese (screenplay), Scott Thorson (book)

Stars:

Michael Douglas, Matt Damon, Scott Bakula

Won 2 Golden Globes. Another 42 wins & 53 nominations.

Cast

Cast overview, first billed only:
Matt Damon	...	Scott Thorson
Scott Bakula	...	Bob Black
Eric Zuckerman	...	Lou
Eddie Jemison	...	Assistant Director
Randy Lowell	...	Director
Tom Roach	...	Stunt Actor
Shamus Cooley	...	Camera Assistant
John Smutny	...	Sound Mixer
Jane Morris	...	Rose Carracappa
Garrett M. Brown	...	Joe Carracappa
Michael Douglas	...	Liberace
Pat Asanti	...	George Liberace
Debbie Reynolds	...	Frances Liberace
Casey Kramer	...	Dora Liberace
Cheyenne Jackson	...	Billy Leatherwood

Storyline

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. Swaddled in wealth and excess, Scott and Liberace have a long affair, one that Scott eventually begins to find suffocating. 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. When Liberace finds himself a new lover, Scott is tossed onto the street. He then seeks legal redress for what he feels he has lost. But throughout, the bond between the young man and the star never completely tears.

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Plot Keywords:

pianist | gay adoption | boy toy | gay relationship | based on real person | 

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Taglines:

"Too much of a good thing is wonderful"

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Genres:

Biography | Drama | Music | Romance

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Certificate:

TV-MA

Did You Know?

Trivia

Matt Damon wore a wig for the film in order to appear younger.

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Goofs

Liberace's mother is playing a slot machine at the beginning of a scene set in 1981. She died in 1980.

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Quotes

Liberace: [watching himself on TV] Oh my Christ, I look like my father! I look like my father in drag!

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Connections

Referenced in Chelsea Lately: Episode #7.89 (2013)

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Soundtracks

When Liberace Winks at Me
Written by Bobby Gimby and Johnny Wayne (as Jonny Wayne)
Sung by Peggy King
Piano Performed by Liberace
COurtesy of John Delgatto/Entrée Records & DVD
By arrangement with the Liberace Foundation

User Reviews

Damon and Douglas are superbly good

For a film about a gay relationship - I had my doubts when I discovered the two male leads were to be played by straight men, but I couldn't be more convinced by their on-screen personas.

The kitch was eye-wateringly OTT, Douglas superbly needy yet controlling and Damon sucked into the whole charade. Rob Lowe's performance had me recoiling with his creepiness/plastic surgery face and it couldn't be farther from his more mainstream performances. For a role that appeared for only a few minutes - it stuck with me long after the film was over.

All in all, a very solid biopic film that unfortunately won't be Oscared as its been shown as TV movie in the USA. A great shame - Douglas and Damon deserve nominations - their *chemistry* is totally believable.

Final point - either Douglas is a superb pianist or the CGI of his hands on the keyboard is first rate!

Details

Official Sites:

Official site Official site [Japan]

Country:

USA

Language:

English

Release Date:

26 May 2013 (Canada)

Also Known As:

Liberace

Filming Locations:

Santa Clarita, California, USA

Box Office

Budget:

$23,000,000 (estimated)

Cumulative Worldwide Gross:

$13,352,609

Company Credits

Production Co:

HBO Films, Jerry Weintraub Productions

Technical Specs

Runtime:

118 min

Sound Mix:

Dolby Digital

Color:

Color Black and White (flashback sequence)

Aspect Ratio:

1.85 : 1