HBO Takes Us BEHIND THE CANDELABRA

Article first published as BEHIND THE CANDELABRA Review on Seat42F.

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.

We Bought a Zoo on Blu-ray

From FOX Studios comes Cameron Crowe's (Jerry Maguire, Almost Famous) latest film, We Bought a Zoo. Based on a true story, the movie finds widower Benjamin Mee (Matt Damon, The Bourne Identity, 30 Rock) needing to make a change. While house hunting, he finds his dream dwelling comes with a closed-down, but still populated, zoo attached, and decides that this might be just the adventure he needs. Together with his two children and the zoo's colorful staff, Benjamin sets out to make the zoo, and his life, mean something again.

We Bought a Zoo is not Crowe's best work, but then, who expects it to be, considering some of the masterpieces the director has made? However, We Bought a Zoo is still damn good. It proves that Crowe still knows how to coax incredible, authentic performances out of his actors. He can still tug a heart string. He develops wonderful visuals, but never forgets that the story is about the characters.

Damon is brilliant in the lead role. He captures the struggle of a father, raising two kids on his own, one of whom he has trouble connecting with because they are too much alike. He also breathes Mee's mission to life with such zeal, that one is left hanging on his every move, rooting for him to succeed, hoping he can find hope and joy in his life again.

We Bought a Zoo is buoyed by an excellent ensemble cast, and that's not just referencing the beautiful animals. Maggie Elizabeth Jones (Footloose) is adorable as Mee's daughter. Thomas Haden Church (Sideways, Wings) brings a realism to Benjamin's brother, who wants to be supportive, but thinks his sibling is off of his rocker. And then there's J.B. Smoove (Curb Your Enthusiasm), Carla Gallo (Bones, Californication), John Michael Higgins (Bad Teacher, Happily Divorced), Angus Macfadyen (Chuck, Braveheart), Elle Fanning (Super 8), Patrick Fugit (Almost Famous), and Colin Ford (Push, Supernatural), all of whom bring something special to the table. The chemistry between them, and the unique make up of each player, really makes this movie sing in an exciting, interesting way.

Oddly, it's Scarlett Johansson (Lost in Translation, The Avengers) that is wasted here. Stuck in a boring, predictable, romantic interest role, she gets lost among the others. This isn't because the actress is inferior in any way, but rather, more than anyone else, her presence seems to be there only to serve Benjamin's character. She doesn't have enough personality of her own to really stand out. In fact, Benjamin's relationship with a tiger actually serves the same purpose she does, with slightly more impact, so her part is extraneous. It's a shame, and the movie's only real weak point.

There are plenty of bonus features on the three disc Blu-ray + DVD + Digital Copy set. There's an audio commentary with Crowe, editor Mark Livolsi, and, weirdly, considering his small role in We Bought a Zoo, the hilarious J.B. Smoove. There are a ton of deleted and extended scenes. A half hour is devoted to the making of the picture, and there is a featurette about the real Benjamin Mee. There's also a gag reel, and more! One can literally spend more time watching the extras than the movie, and that's a nice claim to make. It helps, too, that what is present enriches the movie experience, and is really everything one might want in this release.

In short, We Bought a Zoo is a fantastic film that any movie lover should own. It's an inspiring story, a memorable tale, and just plain fun. Pick up a copy, on sale now.

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30 Rock Cuts With a "Double-Edged Sword"

     NBC's 30 Rock is one of the smartest sitcoms currently running. The humor is often unexpected, always tight, and the actors delivering the lines have wicked comic timing, every single one of them. I'd almost complain that all the amazing supporting players get too little to do because of the heavy reliance these past few years on big name guest stars. This week's episode was yet more proof of that. Yet, I have a hard time doing criticising because the guests 30 Rock gets are more than stunt; they're just as good as the regulars. In fact, I will state that the series has unequivocally the best guest roster of any sitcom ever. And they just keep coming back.


     This week, in "Double-Edged Sword", there were three major arcs. In the first, Jack (Alec Baldwin) travels to Canada with his gal, Avery (Elizabeth Banks, in her TWELFTH appearance on the show in the last year), where she goes into labor. Both being staunch patriots, and hoping their unborn daughter will one day be president, Jack and Avery battle mightily to make it back to the states before the baby comes. Snow storms cancel flights, the rental car companies are out of cars, and they end up in a mobile meth lab. Only after a conversation with the van's owner (guest star, the hilarious John Cho), does Jack realize that he's going too far and takes Avery to the hospital. A Canadian hospital. The couple are furious when the hospital won't even take their money.

     It's broad comedy. I doubt there are more than a handful of people in this country who would put that much importance on having a child born in America, risking their lives and the baby's to make that happen. But the comic timing of Banks and Baldwin makes you forget that for twenty-two minutes. Add Cho, seemingly out of nowhere, and it was easily the most entertaining of the three stories that night. Not to mention, two stubborn people trying to make a relationship work is still relatable, despite the circumstances, so 30 Rock pulled off another neat trick.

     The question is, how long can Jack and Avery go on? Banks has a movie career. She previously made time to recur on Scrubs after her character had the main guy's baby, despite getting tons of cinema work. She accepted the part of Avery, though, after she'd already blown up. Twelve episodes in twelve months is a supreme gift from her. Does that mean Jack and Avery are heading for Splitsville? Somehow, I think 30 Rock will make them work because they're perfect for each other. Just don't expect Avery to keep recurring as often as she has been.

     Story two was also about a couple that were extremely similar, but it didn't have such a cheery outcome. Liz (Tina Fey) took a trip with her pilot boyfriend, Carol (Matt Damon). Or tried to, since their plane was kept on the runway until the passengers revolted, led by Liz, of course. Carol, meanwhile, let his fight with his girlfriend rule his decision making skills, increasingly the already volatile situation. They were broken up before the ending credits because neither would bend, like Jack did. Perhaps they needed John Cho on their plane, too.

     Damon has only done four episodes, but once could argue that Damon is also on a whole other level than Banks. The fact that someone of Damon's prominence would even agree to do a sitcom is rare. Playing a character so different from Damon's other work would be my best guess on why he did it. Clearly, Fey wrote for him because she just wanted to kiss Matt Damon. Kidding! I worship Tina Fey. Still, it was nice while it lasted.

     The heart of this show is Jack and Liz. Their relationship, while it will never be romantic, is the driving force. The romance was (extremely) briefly toyed with early on, then rejected quite quickly and with finality. Despite the two being in different countries in drastically different, though somewhat connected, situations, they still took time to check in with each other by phone. However bonded Jack and Avery become, do not look for that to change.

    The final story was just Tracy Jordan (Tracy Morgan) being Tracy Jordan. Completing a long running arc where Tracy strove for an EGOT (Emmy, Grammy, Oscar, and Tony), he finally got it, just in time to regret it. The EGOT status is a renowned one, only twelve real people having ever achieved it. Tracy didn't expect to attend stuffy banquets and change his whole life after; it was just something to do. Now he's stuck among the ranks of Mel Brooks, Whoopi Goldberg, Barbra Streisand, Liza Minnelli, Richard Rodgers, and Audrey Hepburn. Can we please get Whoopi, Liza, or Barbara (or better yet, all three) to put in an appearance coaching Tracy on the lifestyle? More likely, though, this story has come to an end, for the most part.

     Best Tracy Jordan line of the night: after Kenneth (Jack McBrayer) tells Tracy that Steven Spielberg wants him to star in his next film, Tracy replies excitedly, "Kate Capshaw's husband!?" (pictured right)

     NBC's 30 Rock has not come to an end. Far from it. It airs Thursday nights at 10 p.m. on NBC.

Article first published as TV Review: 30 Rock Cuts With a "Double-Edged Sword" on Blogcritics.


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30 Rock goes live!

     NBC's 30 Rock did a live show for each coast last night.  Having just completed viewing the West Coast episode online (I like in the Eastern time zone), I could identify only 5 intentional differences between the two, and most involved the guest stars:  In the East version, Jenna (Jane Krakowski) sang words to 30 Rock's normal theme music about the show being live, and in the West Danny (Cheyenne Jackson, Glee) did it with completly different lyrics.  Flashback Liz Lemon (Julia Louis-Dreyfus, Seinfeld) made fun of Jonathan by referencing Slum Dog Millionaire in one version, and Aladdin in the other.  In the East, the entire cast yelled together at Kenneth (Jack McBrayer) to spit out his idea, while the West only saw Jack (Alec Baldwin) yell at him.  Dr. Spaceman (Chris Parnell, Saturday Night Live) sang different songs in his commerical.  And Drew (Jon Hamm, Mad Men) had a black hand from an executed felon in one version, and a woman's hand from a Frankenstein company in the other, though both versions ended with the new hand on his crotch.

     What that means is, joke by joke, facial expression by facial expression, the cast had this piece rehearsed down.  Everything landed almost the exact same way.  The only unintentional difference I saw was that Danny as Dr. Drew actually did break on the East coast feed during a sketch about Tracy (Tracy Jordan) fake breaking.  The show didn't feel fresh and raw, as live shows sometimes do.  It felt like they were performing something they'd done over and over again.  They filmed with the help of Saturday Night Live, and as 30 Rock is usually funnier than SNL, I wonder if it is the various takes that help that along.  This was not 30 Rock's finest episode by a long shot.  The novelty was what sold the episode, and I admit I enjoyed it.  But not because of the quality.  If the show was like this every week, it wouldn't be half as good.

     Along with the uniqueness of the live feature, a lot of guest stars also showed up to help.  Much more than normal.  I already mentioned Louis-Dreyfus (the most unexpected of the bunch, and probably the funniest), Parnell, Jackson, and Hamm.  Carol (Matt Damon) also did two scenes, and Bill Hader (SNL) played the co-pilot in love with him.  Last, but not least, after a far-too-long absence, Rachel Dratch, who was originally cast as Jenna, and did a number of characters in twelve episodes of season one, returned.

     The plot was simple, as with everything else going on, there wasn't too much time to squeeze it in.  Everyone forgot Liz's (Tina Fey) birthday, Jack gave up alcohol, and Tracy decided he wanted to break during TGS.  No one will probably remember that part of the show.

     It was an interesting experiment, and I'm glad that 30 Rock did it.  I laughed a lot.  Now please don't do it again.

     30 Rock airs Thursday nights at 8:30 on NBC.


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30 Rock and roll

     NBC brought the latest season of 30 Rock to a close with a shocking development.  No, I'm not talking about the title, "I Do Do".  Nor any weddings, breakups, romantic overtures, or pregnancies.  Kenneth Parcell (Jack McBrayer), the best page ever, was fired.  He was actually bad at his job on purpose to avoid a promotion that would have forced him to move to L.A.  Surely, this will quickly be remedied when the show returns next fall, as the show could not possibly be the same without him.  Plus, the series has made him a star.  McBrayer wouldn't leave for real, would he?  Its doubtful.

     Liz (Tina Fey) did finally have some luck in the romance department, though.  Despite Fey stating in an interview that Liz would most likely end up with Wesley (Michael Sheen) in the end, she met the man of her dreams, played by none other than Matt Damon.  What are the chances a big movie star like Matt Damon would settle into a recurring character on a sitcom though?

     Interesting that I you should ask that.  Sheen has appeared several times already, and Jack (Alec Baldwin) has been juggling dating two women, Avery (Elizabeth Banks) and Nancy (Julianne Moore), both played by movie stars.  Though, it seems Nancy will soon be moving on, what with the surprise pregnancy of Avery.  How does 30 Rock get such big name recurring characters?  Because it's a hell of a witty show, with plenty of connections behind the scenes.  Fey and Baldwin have headlines a few films themselves in recent years.  It's led to something I never though I'd worry about on the show, or really, any sitcom for that matter.  Some of the central characters are in danger of being overshadowed by the guests.  It hasn't happened yet, but it's been close.

      However, that doesn't mean I want them to stop bringing in the big talent.  It adds some gravitas to the show, and they've all been, without exception, exceptionally funny.  And it's not just the A-listers that succeed.  Plenty of Saturday Night Live alumni have killed, most recently Will Forte (who is currently starring in the film MacGruber) as Jenna's (Jane Krakowski) boyfriend slash impersonator.

     30 Rock has already been picked up for another season and will return to NBC in the fall.