Behind the Candelabra
It doesn't take much working out to realise that Behind the Candelabra is a biographical film about Liberace. However, it only covers a particular period of his life, from 1977 to his death in 1987. To be more exact it covers the period when Scott Thorson and Liberace enter into an alleged (our lawyers have told us to say) relationship. The film is based on the book by Scott Thorson; Behind the Candelabra: My Life with Liberace.
Apparently, Liberace was gay! Who knew?
Enough of the background, down to the film. First and foremost let us just say that Michael Douglas, who plays Liberace is fantastic! His mannerisms, his voice, his character are all exquisitely played out by Michael Douglas. Alongside Douglas, there is Matt Damon as the young Scott Thorson, who caught Liberace's eye, after another glittering performance in Los Angeles and he was soon bought in to attend to Mr Liberace's every need. Scott became the next in a long line (allegedly) of young male assistants to the keyboard king, wherever Liberace went, Scott was coming up close behind. Literally.
Behind the Candelabra follows this often heated affair, where Liberace dotes upon the young Scott, showering him with gifts and even arranging plastic surgery so that Scott will look more like Liberace! We see their love affair blossom, plateau and then spectacularly fall apart. In honesty, the first two thirds of the film seemed to lack a little impetus, but this is down to the scene setting, the set up and the continuing storyline, there just wasn't too many sparks, or plot peaks. However, that all changes as things heat up and the Liberace and Scott partnership implodes. And the the end of the film was quite magnificent for all concerned, apart from Liberace, as he died! But those final scenes were quite moving and although the finale was a bit over the top and cheesy, but wasn't that Liberace all over?
As for the supporting cast, Dan Ackroyd is great as Liberace's manager Seymour Heller. Scott Bakula appears a few times as Bob Black, a friend of Liberace's. Debbie Reynolds plays Mrs Liberace (Liberace's mother) and is superb in the few scenes she is in before she dies. Also Rob Lowe is magnificent as the spaced out doctor accountable for the plastic surgery and the drugs supply.
All in all, Behind the Candelabra is a fascinating true (allegedly) story of the glamorous life of Liberace and Scott Thorson and their tempestuous relationship, from the glitz and glamour of the early days in Las Vegas to their very bitter and public break-up in the 1980's.
We always find biopic's fascinating here at TNiFN Towers and this was no exception. Fantastic acting from the main cast and some good piano miming from Mr Douglas. Actually, he didn't mime the piano playing, some very clever CGI effects placed his head over the top of a skilled piano player, who did all the piano parts.
As for the scores, Behind the Candelabra doesn't quite hit the high notes, but instead remains upright with a grand;
TNiFN Rating 79%
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