Behind the Candelabra

Yes, Liberace was a special person. The audience loved him and he loved his audience. So much so that he didn't want to lose anyone. His manager understood this and tried to present Liberace as a heterosexual at all costs, even though he never had any inclination towards women, even though he tried to love them. This person lived in disguise his whole life, until his unexpected death - AIDS. Even on his deathbed, he longed for one thing - no one must find out who he was. Nevertheless, people did find out. Was the whole disguise necessary at all? It's hard to say. Matt Damon, however, excellently supported Douglas in the film and their intimate scenes are incredibly convincing. The film's conception is simply excellent. We understand the life of this person, although we don't know them at all, their tragedy. We can sympathize with them or judge them. That's up to each of us. But one thing cannot be denied about the film - it is well-directed and has a lead actor who has overcome a personal tragedy and made a big comeback. More: http://www.filmovy-denik.cz/2013/07/liberace-2013-90.html (21/07/2013)

Starring the absolutely excellent, brilliant and disarming Michael Douglas as a famous, extravagant and homosexual pianist who starts a relationship with lover who is many years younger (the excellent Matt Damon). Brilliantly shot, great visuals, excellent makeup, great gay humor. Towards the end it gets a little weaker, but Soderbergh should definitely film other things for HBO, because this is quality. (06/07/2013)

Behind the Candelabra is the second adaptation of Scott Thorson's memoirs about the years he spent in a relationship with Liberace. The first film was released practically immediately after Liberace's death - Liberace: Behind the Music. The theme is clear: the turning of the 70s and 80s, starring a gay celebrity who cannot afford to be open, and the story of a young lover that ends... badly. Scott Thorson was lucky not to contract HIV, but he had his face ruined by plastic surgery at Liberace's request. The end of their relationship then led to legal battles over alimony, something that was dealt with by a homosexual couple for the first time. The message of this film falls into the series of biographies such as Milk or later Bohemian Rhapsody. The atmosphere is identical to Spinning Gold. (15/02/2024)

The Douglas/Damon duo is perfect. Those two literally wallow in their characters, Soderbergh directs with a firm hand and everybody enjoys themselves royally. Behind the Candelabra never slips into parody, never falls into the mud of some other gay comedies and even so it’s entertaining. The fact that this is based on a true story where the aging piano virtuoso is screwing a sixteen-year-old boy (with the innocent face of forty-two year-old Damon) gives the picture a completely different dimension. Relationship problems are nothing new to us, ingeniously escalating partner rows, losses and emotional breakdowns, we’ve seen it all before, but I guarantee you that you’ve never seen it quite like this. The delivery - these are Oscar-winning performances, ladies and gentlemen. I would even dare to say that Liberace is Douglas’s best role for the past several years. P.S.: As for females, I think the only one we see is a cleaning lady. This is an exclusively male affair. So come on, boys, no holding back, go for it! - I’ll do anything you want... you crazy old fairy. You know that. - Just love me. (18/07/2013)

Watching this movie made me feel really gay. At the same time, I admired Michael Douglas and Matt Damon for going for it with such enthusiasm. Actually, that was partly why I stuck with the movie till the end. And in the end, I can say that the movie was not bad at all. Perhaps it was too personal for a biography, at times also too far beyond the line, but so what. Not only successes speak of life, but also life in itself. It may be a pity that Miloš Forman did not decide to shoot this story. If only he had the strength… (07/05/2014)