Behind the Candelabra is a film that was turned down by every major studio for being “too gay” Luckily, it has also found a home in HBO and premiered last night.
It is good. It is really good.
Directed by Steven Soderbergh (Michael Clayton, Magic Mike), the film is based on the 1988 memoir by Scott Thorson who was Liberace‘s live-in boyfriend and chauffeur for five years.
The film opens in 1977 when teenage hunk Scott Thorson (Matt Damon) meets a much older pianist and performer Liberace (Michael Douglas) after one of his concerts. At the time, Liberace was the highest paid performer in the world.
At the height of his fame, Liberace appears as a kindly older man who is lonely and longing for his own family. Despite a history of boy-toys who came before him, Scott – who is forty years younger than Liberace – moves into his Las Vegas home. Liberace never acknowledged his homosexuality, so to the public, Scott was known as Liberace’s chauffeur. He wore a white rhinestone costume while driving a white Rolls Royce and carrying the 16-foot train of his boyfriend’s mink coat.
Soderbergh pulls out all the stops in showcasing Liberace’s gaudy displays of wealth – from flamboyant stage costumes to over-the-top decor of his Las Vegas home. This is, after all, a man who flew around in the air suspended by cables above the stage.
Obsessed with all things visual, Liberace gets a facelift from Dr. Jack Startz, the creepiest plastic surgeon I’ve seen on film – fabulously played by Rob Lowe.
“Will l be able to close my eyes?” asks Liberace after seeing his post-surgery face “Not entirely, but this way, you’ll always be able to see people’s expressions when they see how FABULOUS you look!” replies Dr. Startz
Gay or not, this is really a love story. But a sad one because it disintegrates into tragedy for both men. At the start, the two men really did fall for each other. Liberace adored Scott and couldn’t bear to have him out of his sight. Scott – who’s been in and out of foster homes – becomes attached to Liberace and sees him as father, best friend and lover all in one.
And yet…while living with Liberace, Scott enters a world of wild excess and grotesque opulence for which Liberace was so famous. He becomes addicted to prescription drugs while trying to stay slim on “The California Diet”.
In the ultimate show of control and narcissism, Liberace convinces Scott to get plastic surgery too – so he can look just like him.
Adoration eventually gives way to petty arguments and Scott goes from a handsome hunk to a pill-addicted plastic replica of his lover. It isn’t long before jealousy and insecurity take root with Scott asking: “Are you tired of me? Am I too old for you?”
Liberace is a tough character to play. The temptation to turn to caricature and imitation is great. Yet Michael Douglas hits the perfect note as Liberace, able to capture the complexity of this charming but controlling man. Matt Damon as Scott, is very humane and sympathetic. You really, truly feel for the guy.
“Behind the Candelabra” airs on HBO Canada Thursday May 30th (6:00PM ET), Saturday June 8 (10:00PM ET) Friday, June 14 (3:55PM ET), Saturday June 15 (1:30AM ET)
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