Behind the Candelabra

A film about Liberace's last years and his relationship with a young lover. In the 1970s Liberace was among the highest-earning performers in America. His act was built on jewellery, furs and a piano; his audience was largely middle-aged women, and he denied his homosexuality publicly all his life. Scott Thorson is a young animal handler. They meet and Scott moves into his house. The relationship quickly becomes a structure of dependence: Liberace puts him under contract, wants his appearance changed and pays for cosmetic surgery. The source is Thorson's own book. The production history is part of the subject. Soderbergh took the project to the studios and none would take it; the reason given was that the subject was too gay. In the end it was made by a television channel and shown on television in America; in Europe it played in cinemas. Michael Douglas plays Liberace and Matt Damon plays Thorson. Rob Lowe plays the cosmetic surgeon. It won in several categories at the Emmy Awards. A tight example for anyone who likes biographical drama and Soderbergh's cold manner. For a viewer expecting a sympathetic portrait, the film criticises both characters and shows the exploitative side of the relationship plainly.