The movie that was labeled as "too gay" for a theatrical release, Steven Soderbergh's Behind the Candelabra, recently premiered on HBO. The film focuses on the relationship between the late entertainer Liberace (Michael Douglas) and his young lover, Scott Thorson (Matt Damon), in the 1980s. The screenplay, by Richard LaGravenese, is based on Thorson's 1988 book Behind the Candelabra: My Life with Liberace and details their years together as lovers before a dramatic falling out.
Liberace was clearly attracted to younger men and fell for Scott shortly after they met. Scott, who came from a broken home, feels a connection to the much older Liberace, who acts like more of a father figure than companion to the young man and even offers to adopt him. Of course, being lovers first and then proposing an adoption is not easily understood or accepted by the people outside of their relationship. But that was just one of the issues that the couple faced in their often turbulent relationship, as Liberace demanded to have control at all times and would wield his considerable power when he thought it was necessary.
Scott was clearly out of his league, but felt accepted and loved, so it was difficult to leave, even after Liberace suggested (demanded) that he undergo a series of plastic surgeries to make Scott look more like the legendary entertainer. That bizarre suggestion is followed through courtesy of a drug addled doctor (a sublime Rob Lowe as Dr. Jack Startz). Following the procedures, Scott is advised to begin taking a variety of painkillers that are addictive and eventually lead to other addictions, including cocaine. As Scott is heading for a fall, Liberace has already moved on to other young men, which only adds more fuel to the fire as their relationship disintegrates.
While the subject matter is interesting and Soderbergh's direction is strong, as always, the performances by Douglas and Damon are superb, even award worthy. The usually masculine Douglas somehow captures the flamboyant nature of the one and only Liberace, while Damon completely becomes Scott Thorson and is so convincing that viewers might think that he is gay. However, he is not. It is just Matt Damon being Matt Damon. What other young actor can play characters as diverse as Will Hunting, Jason Bourne, Tom Ripley and now Scott Thorson? Damon is one of the best actors of his, or any, generation. Both Douglas and Damon were brave for tackling these roles, considering the amount of intimacy between the characters, which always feels authentic. Damon also physically transforms himself throughout the film and is called upon to do a number of nude scenes. I am not sure how many other actors, of a similar age, would have taken the role to that level of realism. The talented supporting cast includes Dan Aykroyd, Scott Bakula and Debbie Reynolds.
I am old enough to remember Liberace, who passed away when I was in high school, and I recall the controversy surrounding his death, which is touched upon in the film. There are many surprising moments throughout Behind the Candelabra, including the idea that many of Liberace's fans did not know he was gay. Really? I suppose it must be true because during the piano player's long career, he enjoyed immense success and lived like royalty, if the film is to be believed and I trust that is it accurate. During that time, I am not sure he could have been "out" and continued to be so successful beloved. I have always found it strange that in a place like Hollywood, where gay and lesbian people populate the landscape, that so many of them would go to great lengths to hide their sexuality. Of course, that appears to be changing, albeit slowly. In any event, Behind the Candelabra offers a fascinating look at one of the greatest entertainers in the history of show business and the demons that plagued his personal life, in a non-judgmental, riveting and, of course, entertaining way.
