Article first published as BEHIND THE CANDELABRA Review on Seat42F.
Grade: 95%
Grade: 95%
HBO generally does a great job with
their original films, and the latest, BEHIND THE CANDELABRA, which
premiered last night, is no different. The movie details the
relationship between famous performer Liberace (Michael Douglas) and
Scott Thorson (Matt Damon), from when they meet to Liberace’s death.
Based on the book by Thorson, it may feel a little one-sided, but is
well presented.
Douglas is excellent as Liberace. He
lived before my time, so I don’t have personal memories of the
performer, but from the little bit I know about him, Douglas seems to
capture the spirit and the personality. He is a flamboyant showman,
insecure and addicted to being loved. He seems to find peace for a time
with Thorson, but is always hungry for more attention and affection.
Damon is equally captivating as Thorson.
At first, Thorson seems stiff and wooden, but over time, as he adjusts
to Liberace and his lifestyle, Damon makes the man come alive, embracing
a home, something he desperately wants and lacks all his life, as well
as a way of living and direction. Thorson may or may not be bisexual, as
he claims at first, perhaps willing to be with whoever will accept him.
He does seem to care about Liberace, but Thorson also cares about being
taken care of.
BEHIND THE CANDELABRA is much more than a
biopic. It is the very tragic tale of two souls who have never quite
found what they are looking for, but discover a kindred spirit in one
another. They are both broken and damaged, and while they try to be what
the other wants, sensing the similarities, they aren’t able to live up
to those lofty expectations. Both scramble for something to hold onto,
but are nearly impossible to satisfy.
Their love story reflects this inability
to just be happy in the moment. They both make efforts to do so, but
without knowing how to love themselves, they aren’t capable of being
fully supportive of one another. Liberace turns to cosmetic surgery and
sexual trysts, while Thorson becomes addicted to drugs, but the pathways
are more alike than diverging.
Did Thorson love Liberace, or did he
just want what Liberace was offering? Did Liberace love Thorson, or was
he just drawn to the youth and spirit Thorson represented? These
questions aren’t explicitly answered in the two hours, but Damon and
Douglas give complex performances that capture the chemistry, warring
emotions, and desires within the two men.
The two leads are joined by an
absolutely outstanding supporting cast which includes: Dan Aykroyd as
Seymour Heller, Liberace’s protective manager; Scott Bakula as Bob
Black, the mutual friend that introduces them; Debbie Reynolds as
Frances, Liberace’s elderly mother; Cheyenne Jackson as Billy
Leatherwood, Liberace’s dissatisfied protégé; and Paul Reiser, Boyd
Holbrook, Mike O’Malley, and Tom Papa in small parts that still leave an
impression. All of these others may be on the outskirts of the main
tale, but deserve credit for making it seem like a whole, complete look
at two lives.
Special mention goes to Rob Lowe as Dr.
Jack Startz, Liberace’s plastic surgeon and the pusher of Thorson’s
drugs. At this point, it should hardly be surprising that Lowe can bring
to life yet another eccentric oddball that feels fresh, and yet, he
pulls it off again. A lot can be attributed to the facial expressions he
exudes, but Lowe definitely plays a memorable role in this film.
Costumes and production design are
predictably flawless. At this point, if a studio can’t deliver a
convincing period piece, they ought to be ashamed of themselves. What is
extra impressive in BEHIND THE CANDELABRA, though, is not just what
stands out, but the reality glimpsed behind the facade. Glitter in
Liberace’s hair that seems shining on stage comes across as part of a
silly costume in the real moments away from the audience. The elaborate
home of Liberace tells as much about the character as Douglas’s acting
does. Liberace’s hair piece becomes a very essential representation of
the man himself. These touches make the piece.
Pacing wise, BEHIND THE CANDELABRA does
drag a bit in the middle. I think it kind of needs to to demonstrate
where the romance begins to wear thin and when the problems crop up.
However, there is a point where I got a little tired and the plot seemed
to become a little predictable before ramping up to the antagonizing
end.
The characters and their story is as
much about our society during a certain decade as it is the people that
the movie is about. The gluttony of excess is a familiar tale, one
featured on the big screen right now in The Great Gatsby, a
quintessential American trait. And with the gay rights movement finally
changing minds and laws all over, it’s interesting to look back at a
time of ignorance and denial. Including Liberace’s Catholic faith and
funeral also points to the discrepancies present in many institutions,
then and now.
BEHIND THE CANDELABRA is worth watching
for all of the reasons I’ve mentioned and more. It’s not a perfect film,
with historical events told from a certain point of view, but it is one
that conveys something important and meaningful, balancing the personal
story with the larger themes. Check it out, as HBO is currently
re-running it frequently.
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