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Behind the Candelabra

  • 20132013
  • TV-MATV-MA
  • 1h 58m
IMDb RATING
7.0/10
43K
YOUR RATING
POPULARITY
1,872
342
Behind the Candelabra (2013)
Based on the autobiographical novel, the tempestuous 6-year relationship between Liberace and his (much younger) lover, Scott Thorson, is recounted.
Play trailer1:58
4 Videos
99+ Photos
  • Biography
  • Drama
  • Music
A chronicle of the tempestuous six-year romance between megastar singer Liberace and his young lover Scott Thorson.A chronicle of the tempestuous six-year romance between megastar singer Liberace and his young lover Scott Thorson.A chronicle of the tempestuous six-year romance between megastar singer Liberace and his young lover Scott Thorson.
IMDb RATING
7.0/10
43K
YOUR RATING
POPULARITY
1,872
342
  • Director
    • Steven Soderbergh
  • Writers
    • Richard LaGravenese(screenplay)
    • Scott Thorson(book)
    • Alex Thorleifson(book)
  • Stars
    • Michael Douglas
    • Matt Damon
    • Scott Bakula
Top credits
  • Director
    • Steven Soderbergh
  • Writers
    • Richard LaGravenese(screenplay)
    • Scott Thorson(book)
    • Alex Thorleifson(book)
  • Stars
    • Michael Douglas
    • Matt Damon
    • Scott Bakula
  • See production, box office & company info
    • 185User reviews
    • 260Critic reviews
  • See more at IMDbPro
    • Won 11 Primetime Emmys
      • 46 wins & 54 nominations total

    Videos4

    UK Trailer
    Trailer 1:58
    UK Trailer
    First Trailer
    Trailer 1:40
    First Trailer
    Uggie, Toto, & Award-Winning Movie Dogs
    Clip 3:31
    Uggie, Toto, & Award-Winning Movie Dogs
    What Roles Has Matt Damon Turned Down?
    Video 3:27
    What Roles Has Matt Damon Turned Down?

    Photos202

    Michael Douglas in Behind the Candelabra (2013)
    Michael Douglas and Matt Damon in Behind the Candelabra (2013)
    Michael Douglas and Matt Damon in Behind the Candelabra (2013)
    Michael Douglas and Matt Damon in Behind the Candelabra (2013)
    Michael Douglas and Matt Damon in Behind the Candelabra (2013)
    Michael Douglas and Steven Soderbergh in Behind the Candelabra (2013)
    Steven Soderbergh and Jerry Weintraub in Behind the Candelabra (2013)
    Michael Douglas at an event for Behind the Candelabra (2013)
    Jerry Weintraub at an event for Behind the Candelabra (2013)
    Michael Douglas at an event for Behind the Candelabra (2013)
    Michael Douglas at an event for Behind the Candelabra (2013)
    Michael Douglas and Matt Damon at an event for Behind the Candelabra (2013)

    Top cast

    Edit
    Michael Douglas
    Michael Douglas
    • Liberaceas Liberace
    Matt Damon
    Matt Damon
    • Scott Thorsonas Scott Thorson
    Scott Bakula
    Scott Bakula
    • Bob Blackas Bob Black
    Eric Zuckerman
    Eric Zuckerman
    • Louas Lou
    Eddie Jemison
    Eddie Jemison
    • Assistant Directoras Assistant Director
    Randy Lowell
    Randy Lowell
    • Directoras Director
    Tom Roach
    Tom Roach
    • Stunt Actoras Stunt Actor
    Shamus Cooley
    • Camera Assistantas Camera Assistant
    John Smutny
    • Sound Mixeras Sound Mixer
    Jane Morris
    Jane Morris
    • Rose Carracappaas Rose Carracappa
    Garrett M. Brown
    Garrett M. Brown
    • Joe Carracappaas Joe Carracappa
    Pat Asanti
    Pat Asanti
    • George Liberaceas George Liberace
    Debbie Reynolds
    Debbie Reynolds
    • Frances Liberaceas Frances Liberace
    Casey Kramer
    Casey Kramer
    • Dora Liberaceas Dora Liberace
    Cheyenne Jackson
    Cheyenne Jackson
    • Billy Leatherwoodas Billy Leatherwood
    Tom Papa
    Tom Papa
    • Ray Arnettas Ray Arnett
    Dan Aykroyd
    Dan Aykroyd
    • Seymour Helleras Seymour Heller
    James Kulick
    James Kulick
    • Assistant Stage Manageras Assistant Stage Manager
    • Director
      • Steven Soderbergh
    • Writers
      • Richard LaGravenese(screenplay)
      • Scott Thorson(book)
      • Alex Thorleifson(book)
    • All cast & crew
    • See more cast details at IMDbPro

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    Storyline

    Edit

    Did you know

    Edit
    • Trivia
      Robin Williams was originally set to play Liberace.
    • Goofs
      At the funeral mass at the film's end, the congregation's response to the priest's opening liturgical greeting "The Lord be with You" is .."and with your spirit". This is a well-known change made about 20 years after the funeral - which took place in 1987, when the liturgical response would still have been "And also with you."
    • Quotes

      Liberace: I have an eye for new and refreshing talent.

      Scott Thorson: You have an eye for new and refreshing dick.

    • Connections
      Featured in At the Movies: Cannes Film Festival 2013 (2013)
    • Soundtracks
      Tico Tico
      Written by Zequinha de Abreu (as Zequinha Abreu) and Ervin Drake

      Piano Performed by Liberace

      Courtesy of Columbia Records

      By arrangement with Sony Music Licensing

    User reviews185

    Review
    Top review
    9/10
    The enigma is overpowering me
    I would not want to be the person shopping around a serious script in Hollywood about the life of the famous pianist Liberace. It would be the toughest of sells to a culture that would likely feel the material is too dry and the demand too little. A slightly campier script, with luxurious set design and intimate portrayals of characters the public wouldn't likely know about is what I'd like to get my hands on. The story of Liberace is stranger than fiction and dryer, more serious material could've corrupted its overall goals and ambitions.

    The film with the campier script, luxurious set designs, and intimate portrayals is Steven Soderbergh's Behind the Candelabra, a wonderful, limitless look at the life of Liberace, an enigma in every sense of the word. In addition to playing many sold-out shows, the man had a lovelife like no other at the time, meeting and becoming fast friends with Scott Thorson, an aspiring veterinarian who was quickly made his lover. Thorson seemed to have a genuine understanding of the loneliness and lack of friendship Liberace had and provided him with great talks, great compassion, and great sex.

    The relationship, however, resulted in drug addiction, intense plastic surgery, lies, mistrust, and ended with a lawsuit. Soderbergh and writer Richard LaGravenese don't hesitate to explore this and make it one of the deepest focuses in the picture. The relationships the men had had the highest of highs and the lowest of lows. The scenes when they are together in a hot tub are human and romantic. The scenes when they are fighting are heartbreaking because you realize that these men haven't just come so far to make their relationship work but losing each other after so long would be detrimental to their self-esteems and egos. They complete each other and that's where the magic is at its strongest.

    Liberace is played by Michael Douglas in one of the bravest roles of his career. So brave and powerful that it's unfortunate that because of the film's TV movie status it is ineligible for an Academy Award nomination. Douglas is an actor who is never conventional with his role choice. The same man who played a common-man pushed off a cliff of sanity, an executive victim to a consuming, real-life game, and a worried father of a drug-addicted daughter is the same man playing a middle-aged, flamboyant pianist with a love for wonder, music, and men. The diversity in role choice is stunning.

    Matt Damon appears at his youngest as Liberace's lover Scott, in an equally conflicted, complex performance. Damon fills the shoes of the role beautifully and effectively, giving off much in the way of creative energy and heart as he shows just how stressed and torn Thorson must've been in a relationship with someone who truly loved and understood him but wanted to manipulate him. Supporting performances from Rob Lowe as Liberace's doctor, prescribing medicines to both him and Thorson and Dan Aykroyd as his manager are terrific and often are seen providing strong comic relief.

    For a TV movie to have the cinematography and atmosphere that Behind the Candelabra does is truly a feature worth nothing. It may not be as excessive as Baz Luhrmann's Great Gatsby - I don't expect anything of the next two years to be on par with that film - but rarely has a TV movie achieved such phenomenally vibrant and luscious standards. The only thing that could make it better is Soderbergh proving he knows how to work with it and he most certainly does.

    HBO seems to be the go-to network for biographical films about figures that wouldn't likely make appropriate return in the theaters (Behind the Candelabra especially considering the summer movie season has already hit the ground running). David Mamet, just a few months ago, directed the delightful and shockingly unbiased Phil Spector, with actors like Al Pacino and Helen Mirren receiving top-billing. Seeing as a Liberace biopic is directed by none other than Soderbergh, I wouldn't be surprised at seeing a slew of films about eclectic media figures being made and released on HBO in the next few years. Networks that have the drive and willingness to air these kinds of films are a necessity to the success of film.

    Starring: Michael Douglas, Matt Damon, Rob Lowe, and Dan Aykroyd. Directed by: Steven Soderbergh.
    helpful•82
    17
    • StevePulaski
    • May 26, 2013

    FAQ1

    • What substance is being inhaled by Liberace during his love scene with Scott at the 39-minute mark?

    Details

    Edit
    • Release date
      • May 26, 2013 (Canada)
    • Country of origin
      • United States
    • Official sites
      • Official site
      • Official site (Japan)
    • Language
      • English
    • Also known as
      • Liberace
    • Filming locations
      • Santa Clarita, California, USA
    • Production companies
      • HBO Films
      • Jerry Weintraub Productions
    • See more company credits at IMDbPro

    Box office

    Edit
    • Budget
      • $23,000,000 (estimated)
    • Gross worldwide
      • $13,352,609
    See detailed box office info on IMDbPro

    Technical specs

    Edit
    • Runtime
      1 hour 58 minutes
    • Color
      • Color
    • Sound mix
      • Dolby Digital
    • Aspect ratio
      • 1.85 : 1

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