| 2 Jun 2013 00:00 |
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| By Mark Adams |
A fascinating and revelatory film somehow turns out to be a rather sweet love story
Behind the Candelabra
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| Superb: Michael Douglas and Matt Damon are on top form |
THE STARS
Michael Douglas, Matt Damon, Dan Aykroyd, Rob Lowe, Debbie Reynolds, Scott Bakula
THE STORY
In 1977, hunky blond-haired country boy Scott Thorson (Damon) catches the eye of camp Las Vegas music sensation Liberace (Douglas) and they embark on a long relationship, with Liberace showering Scott with gifts and moulding him – literally, with plastic surgery – into his own likeness.
THE VERDICT
As Liberace, the preening, mercurial, vain, flamboyant, yet loving and generous super-camp piano sensation of the 70s, Douglas is an absolute revelation. Behind The Candelabra a fascinating and revelatory film that in among the rhinestone excesses and witty bitchiness turns out to be a rather sweet love story. Douglas and Damon are delightful as a rather mismatched couple who relished a lush lifestyle at a time when no one dared to come out of the closet, especially when they were legends of American entertainment.
Outrageously camp Liberace was a star widely adored by female fans who dismissed the idea he was gay despite his act being littered with double entendres.
When animal-loving Scott is introduced to Liberace, he is entranced by the opulent world of the bling-loving performer and soon he is sharing his hot tub, bed and lifestyle, with Liberace hiring him as a driver and assistant while also planning to adopt him.
When an ageing Liberace decides he needs to have plastic surgery (doctor Jack Starz is hilariously played by Rob Lowe) he also gets Scott to have some work done to make him look more like a mirror image of himself.
It should be said that the surgery scenes are shown in gory and bloody detail. Best to look away – I did.
The film is packed with withering and witty one-liners and every single one of the performances is terrific.
And while at heart it may be simply the story of a love affair that goes wrong, it also offers an entertaining insight into a fabulous fantasy showbiz life.
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