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Behind the Candelabra
Behind the Candelabra
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Behind the Candelabra

Behind the Candelabra

2013
Romance, Drama
TV Movie
1h 58m
Based on the autobiographical novel, the tempestuous 6-year relationship between Liberace and his (much younger) lover, Scott Thorson, is recounted. (imdb)

Directed by:

Steven Soderbergh

Screenwriter:

Richard LaGravenese, Scott Thorson, Alex Thorleifson

Starring:

Matt Damon, Michael Douglas, Dan Aykroyd, Rob Lowe, Debbie Reynolds, Scott Bakula, Cheyenne Jackson, Jane Morris, Garrett M. Brown, Tom Papa, Eric Zuckerman, Deborah Lacey

Genres:

Romance, Drama, Biography

Country:

USA

Language:

English
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Behind the Candelabra

2013
Romance, Drama
TV Movie
1h 58m
Your probable score
Ratings & Reviews Cast Collections Similar Stats Trailer
Avg Percentile 54.15% from 792 total ratings
Ratings & Reviews Cast Collections Similar Stats Trailer

Ratings & Reviews

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cinemaasiaCinema_Asia
Rated 08 Jun 2013
75
71st
This film is one of the rare examples of a director and ensemble cast turning a subpar script into a decent film. It lacks dramatic depth, follows a typical biopic formula, and has a shallow understanding of the subject's life. Yet it's easy to overlook the flaws because the performances are so good. Douglas doesn't seem like a good choice for Liberace at first glance but he's daring and very naturalistic in his portrayal. Rob Lowe also turns in an amusing but bizarre performance as a surgeon.
Rated 08 Jun 2013
cagedwisdomcagedwisdom
Rated 30 Aug 2013
50
38th
The story is profoundly boring and does little with what must have been far more interesting characters in real life. The performances in particular, along with the costume design, set design and overall "feel" makes it entertaining enough for a while. Towards the end, though, I just didn't care any more.
Rated 30 Aug 2013
wezzoWezzo
Rated 17 Jun 2013
90
79th
Garnering a well-deserved theatrical outing here in the UK, Behind the Candelabra is a superbly-acted gem of a biopic. Douglas and Damon deliver two of the year's most impressive, unexpected performances as Liberace and his younger lover Scott Thorson; the film's exploration of their relationship is compelling and enthralling but never seedy or exploitative. Soderbergh's direction is suitably restrained; the era-appropriate mise-in-scene is wonderful. Excellent film; fine directorial swansong.
Rated 17 Jun 2013
wayofthegunwayofthegun
Rated 08 Jun 2013
80
66th
The strong performances overshadow the formulaic story.
Rated 08 Jun 2013
bakcheiabakcheia
Rated 28 May 2013
41
34th
While this film had very strong performances by the leads, I would say the entire film left me quite disappointed. I truly wanted to enjoy this film, but I feel as though they failed to dive into any sort of rich depth with the characters, especially that of Liberace himself. I suppose since Damon's character is the true main character in the film that it makes sense why Liberace's history is detailed in such a perfunctory manner; regardless, it felt as vapid as any awards-bait biopic would.
Rated 28 May 2013
dougiedDougieD
Rated 28 May 2013
65
28th
By-the-numbers biopic that features awards-worthy performances from Michael Douglas and Rob Lowe and typically strong direction from Steven Soderbergh. I suppose it's brave in not shying away from the gay elements of Liberace's life, but at the same time it doesn't feel different from any other biopic about a famous person.
Rated 28 May 2013
kfolkfol
Rated 12 Jul 2018
21
14th
Need to rewatch.
Rated 12 Jul 2018
eastondEastonD
Rated 23 Dec 2015
85
75th
Liberace was a true G.
Rated 23 Dec 2015
djrossdjross
Rated 03 Dec 2013
55
53rd
The leads work hard to raise this above the level of a generic biopic, and the director tries his best to add some stylistic panache, but these efforts are only partially successful: ultimately, the film suffers due to a mediocre script. I've always felt Michael Douglas has been a somewhat misunderstood and under-appreciated actor, so it is nice to see that in this instance his work was generally well-received. Dan Aykroyd, on the other hand, was simply unconvincing in his minor role.
Rated 03 Dec 2013
okkervilOkkervil
Rated 20 Oct 2013
61
55th
You never quite know what your going to get with Soderbergh, but "Behind the Candelabra" sits somewhere between Soderbergh's slick but bland collection (Oceans 11, Magic Mike) and his more compelling works (Contagion, The Informant). There are elements of the Soderbergh I don't like here; notably the lack of dramatic & character depth. But there's also elements of the Soderbergh I do like, being thematically strong & stylish. Douglas is supurb in particular in what is overall a solid biopic.
Rated 20 Oct 2013
kojilessKojiless
Rated 11 Aug 2013
40
43rd
Watched this on the train to work one morning. Japanese businessmen stayed further away from me than usual. What I learned from this movie: some things can never be unlearned.
Rated 11 Aug 2013
overratedoverrated
Rated 02 Aug 2013
81
91st
Rob Lowe's eyes.
Rated 02 Aug 2013
aneyaney
Rated 02 Jun 2013
51
56th
Douglas and Damon own this. It is however very boring in parts. Could have been much better.
Rated 02 Jun 2013
filliganFilligan
Rated 02 Jun 2013
81
44th
Kudos to Douglas and Damon for taking on these difficult roles and killing it. Shame on the distributors that were all too afraid to touch a film with this subject matter. Meh on Soderbergh who, after Magic Mike I'm suspecting is deeply in the closet, does a decent take on this material. The camera is always gracefully panning left or right, occasionally shaking uniquely, and the film is paced well for the tricky biopic genre. Pretty enjoyable, I give it 8 queens out of 10.
Rated 02 Jun 2013
cinesexualcinesexual
Rated 29 May 2013
90
90th
Soderbergh achieves a perfect balance and I'm almost embarrassed to say that a straight director got so many gay things exactly right: The older man/young man power/caretaking dynamic; the sincerity/irony dialectic; we hate the 80s/wish I could go back conundrum, et al. Douglas & Damon & Lowe and everyone perform with an absorbing & celebrity-effacing dignity. And really this is some kind of miracle: No revenge reel. Unless you're a total cynic in which case you'll hate this movie.
Rated 29 May 2013
sellissellis
Rated 28 May 2013
84
72nd
EXCELLENT, thematically rich, incredible performance-driven biopic that does everything it sets out to do exceedingly well. What a difficult tone to have achieved. Perfect pacing, and the impossible balance between exaggeration and honesty. Salud, Mr. Soderbergh.
Rated 28 May 2013
entertainmeEntertainMe
Rated 28 May 2013
58
31st
Great performances and some almost Cronenberg-esque segments about plastic surgery elevate this above the relatively pedestrian biopic I expected going in...until the last half-hour or so when it degenerates into a montage of 'and then, this happened.' Also the ending is super schmaltzy. Which I guess is appropriate? I hope this isn't actually Soderbergh's last film.
Rated 28 May 2013
xacviantxacviant
Rated 27 May 2013
73
31st
Steven Soderbergh's made-for-HBO telling of the turbulent relationship between Liberace (Michael Douglas) and his lover Scott Thorson (Matt Damon). Douglas captures Liberace's flamboyance without descending into caricature, and Damon does earnest stupidity better than just about anyone. Unfortunately, Richard LaGravenese's script follows a very familiar biopic pattern, and while it's refreshingly frank, there's really not much psychological depth. Soderbergh's work is efficient but unnotable.
Rated 27 May 2013
karlsonkarlson
Rated 28 Apr 2024
75
60th
Rewatch. 1st view: 16-6-13.
Rated 28 Apr 2024
selebritySelebrity
Rated 02 Dec 2018
75
63rd
Not even close to my type of film, but I actually enjoyed it! Give it a try!
Rated 02 Dec 2018
mist600Mist600
Rated 12 Nov 2017
84
62nd
BACK-FILLING A WHOLE JOB-LOT OF FILMS I'VE SEEN BUT NOT FOR A LONG, LONG TIME So, my recollection/scoring may be 20-30% off point. I would be not at all offended, grateful in fact, if anyone wants to drop me a cordial note if they think memory has dulled a gem or given a rosy tint to a bit of a clunker. IE. Tell me why I am wrong and what U think I should've scored it. I love film chat/debate. All creatives (on & off cam) perform at level U'd expect. Rob Lowe alone worth price of admission.
Rated 12 Nov 2017
buffratingsbuffratings
Rated 23 Jul 2017
83
64th
Gritty and deeply moving, and featuring a stellar performance from Michael Douglas, Steven Soderbergh's Behind the Candelabra is an effective biopic.
Rated 23 Jul 2017
francogonzoFrancoGonzo
Rated 18 Feb 2016
10
50th
Star Rating: ★★★
Rated 18 Feb 2016
angrypierreangrypierre
Rated 29 Dec 2015
78
69th
It feels like quite a perfunctory, linear story of "and then this happened and then this happened and then..." but it's elevated to much greater heights by Damon and Douglas investing so much character flair and personal drama into it. The way Liberace controls and manipulates Scott is fascinating.
Rated 29 Dec 2015
ag0stomesmerAg0stoMesmer
Rated 29 Dec 2015
3
73rd
Despite hinting here and there at becoming something far stranger it's pretty much the usual 'safe' -but slickly done- bio thing. Not been much of a Douglas fan but he pretty much disappeared into this.
Rated 29 Dec 2015
caimancaiman
Rated 16 Nov 2015
67
31st
Shallow but enjoyable biopic with some great performances.
Rated 16 Nov 2015
esxapeesxape
Rated 07 Sep 2015
64
39th
Damon and Douglas were absolutely amazing. The dependency that Liberace created from Scott and his employees was real. I've never seen that dynamic portrayed as well as it was in this movie.
Rated 07 Sep 2015
wetwillieswetwillies
Rated 21 May 2015
85
59th
An absolute masterclass in visuals - all of the glamour, the sequins that sparkle wildly, the succession of reflective surfaces creating beautifully inquisitive images within images - that flows together perfectly, giving the material far more heft than it initially had. This, combined with the superb performances (Rob Lowe especially), make Behind the Candelabra an excellent example of the conventional biopic.
Rated 21 May 2015
mandymandy
Rated 01 Apr 2015
6
43rd
Not much of a story but the performances are superbly entertaining.
Rated 01 Apr 2015
castlevania2Castlevania2
Rated 18 Nov 2014
90
69th
Magic Mike gets a theatrical release but THIS is somehow "too gay"? Keep mollycoddling Middle America, you cowards.
Rated 18 Nov 2014
ajrafflesAJ_Raffles
Rated 14 Sep 2014
80
83rd
Michael Douglas and Matt Damon both do amazing jobs in this wonderfully set, skillfully shot and emotive story about Liberace and his relationship with the world. If you like period pieces from any era - this ticks all the boxes.
Rated 14 Sep 2014
woodoowoodoo
Rated 08 Aug 2014
80
44th
Incredibly expensive looking movie that was seemingly bounced around because nobody wanted to watch Michael Douglas fuck Matt Damon. Rob Lowe is a show stealer as himself.
Rated 08 Aug 2014
dean_franzDean Franz
Rated 22 Jul 2014
69
65th
An icon of campy bad taste gets the biopic he deserves: A lurid, garish feel-bad wallow crammed with plastic surgery, buttsecks and bitchiness.
Rated 22 Jul 2014
tathieltathiel
Rated 28 May 2014
80
67th
Pretty generic plot structure, but the performances of Michael Douglas and Matt Damon are really awesome.
Rated 28 May 2014
shauny18shauny18
Rated 26 May 2014
65
68th
I think this story is really engageing due to the actors delivering excellent performances throughout. Rob Lowe is great as the almost unrecognisable slightly strange surgery consultant. If people are familiar to the story already the drama may come across quite dull but for me the story was really well told and it was great to see Matt Damon try something a bit different from what you would expect. Definitely worth watching just to see Rob Lowe's transformation!
Rated 26 May 2014
mspraguemsprague
Rated 17 Jan 2014
65
45th
Good performances.
Rated 17 Jan 2014
filmfreak88filmfreak88
Rated 22 Dec 2013
55
34th
It's not exactly bad but it's certainly a disappointment. Much like Liberace's extreme attempts at keeping up appearances, the whole thing never feels entirely real or believable and it's just too one-note to leave any sort of mark. Douglas is, however, skilled enough to convey Liberace's duality and streaks of compulsive narcissism quite well that it kept me entertained for a while.
Rated 22 Dec 2013
damildamil
Rated 22 Dec 2013
65
54th
I didn't know much about Liberace before seeing this, so it was interesting, if not exactly flattering. The pacing of the film is kind of slow, and although I wasn't ever bored exactly, I wasn't really ever captivated. Still, Matt Damon, Rob Lowe and especially Michael Douglas were fantastic. Technically speaking, it was all fine too. Yeah, I don't know, it was good, but it fell into a few biopic tropes I didn't care for, and ended up kind of forgettable.
Rated 22 Dec 2013
driscarpindriscarpin
Rated 20 Dec 2013
65
38th
Cinebio formulaica, mesmo assim bem construída e com ótimas interpretações.
Rated 20 Dec 2013
shellishShellish
Rated 19 Dec 2013
80
76th
Faaabulous!
Rated 19 Dec 2013
annaudannaud
Rated 15 Dec 2013
80
68th
OK, přiznávám, že i já jsem se trochu obávala společných scén Michaela Douglase a Matta Damona, ale nebylo potřeba :) Michael je v roli Liberaceho naprosto fenomenální a Matt zdatně sekunduje. Nejlepší herecké výkony tohohle roku. Až to možná bylo trochu na škodu filmu - místo, abych sledovala děj, jsem plnou pozornost věnovala herectví a zkoumala každý pohyb, výraz tváře, slova. Není to film, který si budete pouštět víckrát, ale zapamatujete si ho.
Rated 15 Dec 2013
moraesfelipemoraesfelipe
Rated 10 Dec 2013
65
61st
In this well-acted melodrama, who follows Liberace and his lover Scott from the very day they met until Lee's death, Soderbergh finds room to make one his most visually accomplished body studies. Liberace doesn't just want to mantain a false image for the public -- that of a straight man --, he also needs that his greatest love becomes his bro, father, best friend -- and, well, a mirror, a face and body he can use to reproduce himself and feel he's not alone. Scary and lovely.
Rated 10 Dec 2013
ryan_luedersRyan Lueders
Rated 04 Dec 2013
39
5th
Honestly listening to Liberace play the piano for two hours straight would have been more entertaining...
Rated 04 Dec 2013
fredericg54frederic_g54
Rated 10 Nov 2013
7
58th
Well, looks like Michael Douglas is f*@#ing Matt Damon now...
Rated 10 Nov 2013
mattorama12mattorama12
Rated 27 Oct 2013
63
42nd
The problem here is that the story is boring and offers little in the way of conflict. Douglas, Damon, and Lowe all give their characters a fun flair, so it's entertaining being with them for 2 hours. The direction is also quite good, stylish enough to suit a Liberace biopic, but not too flashy to be obtrusive.
Rated 27 Oct 2013
shewasSheWas
Rated 20 Oct 2013
27
26th
don't watch with parents. wait, don't watch.
Rated 20 Oct 2013
aflickeringAFlickering
Rated 16 Oct 2013
3
36th
wow steven you sure worked some small wonders with severely limited material. again. for like the 90th time. this one is actually more interesting than that i suppose, given the way soderbergh's obsession with surfaces and deflection of subtext etc mirrors liberace's own, but soderbergh doesn't want me to focus on that so... yeah. here's another 63 for your collection. enjoy your tv career or whatever the fuck
Rated 16 Oct 2013
nuotionuotio
Rated 10 Oct 2013
62
75th
Great acting by Douglas and Damon in very bold roles. While Douglas has the flashier role, it's Damon's character's story and I don't think there are many actors with Damon's status who have the balls to do something like this. Too bad this doesn't qualify for Oscars as it surely would have received nominations in acting categories. While the acting department is stellar, the script could have been tighter as the film does get a bit repetitive towards the end.
Rated 10 Oct 2013
sandyrSandyR
Rated 09 Oct 2013
55
7th
mean spirited
Rated 09 Oct 2013
mlightle3mlightle3
Rated 03 Oct 2013
95
91st
I just can't buy Michael Douglas in Last Vegas after this....
Rated 03 Oct 2013
glm01glm01
Rated 02 Oct 2013
83
75th
82.500
Rated 02 Oct 2013
thedicemanTheDiceman
Rated 22 Aug 2013
70
82nd
Very good.
Rated 22 Aug 2013
bizortbizort
Rated 01 Aug 2013
78
74th
Great acting from Douglas while Lowe steals every scene he's in. Mediocre job by Damon yet again but at least he's consistent. Somewhat mediocre story resulting in a bit of a shallow film. Still very enjoyable.
Rated 01 Aug 2013
parcalihamparcaliham
Rated 24 Jul 2013
35
10th
24 Temmuz 2013 & I was expected something more from Soderbergh. Nothing remain after a while except leads performance.
Rated 24 Jul 2013
realmacgyverRealMacgyver
Rated 04 Jul 2013
80
79th
Fantastic performances by the leads, heck of a movie
Rated 04 Jul 2013
graveyardtangraveyardtan
Rated 27 Jun 2013
90
84th
Soderbergh goes full Scorsese in this stylish, campy biopic that boasts powerful performances from both its leads and its supporting cast.
Rated 27 Jun 2013
timon88Timon88
Rated 23 Jun 2013
70
65th
I kept wishing it were a lot more tawdry. Still, good fun, with some very good performances. Matt Damon...I never thought I'd say this...was outstanding (and not just his lovely butt).
Rated 23 Jun 2013
supergloosupergloo
Rated 17 Jun 2013
7
38th
While never boring, there's not a whole lot of depth or complexity here. Also, whatever charm Liberace possessed in real life is completely jettisoned in Michael Douglas' wide-eyed creepy performance.
Rated 17 Jun 2013
thegreyfoxthegreyfox
Rated 12 Jun 2013
80
74th
A hugely enjoyable movie: beautifully made, acted and directed, which in parts were very funny, sad, touching and moving. Michael Douglas was simply superb in his consistency, and proved what a fine actor he is. If it was just a "story" about an old queen it would be fine, but the fact is it is a biopic, and to me, the acid test is always "do I really get the know the man" ? In the main, yes, the film is successful in that respect although you can always criticise it and say "I wanted more"
Rated 12 Jun 2013
hsncrspywlhsncrspywl
Rated 09 Jun 2013
86
79th
A great movie which has a great theme of performance hidden underneath the somewhat standard romance-biopic plotline. It's really sharply funny, with an excellent performance from Michael Douglas (and Rob Lowe! He kills it) and Soderbergh's usual detached style (with the appropriate 70s/80s aesthetics) lets the performances take centre stage, although he also gets away with a few unique flourishes. It definitely feels a little abrupt though - the pacing is off, but the ending is great.
Rated 09 Jun 2013
glumpy99glumpy_99
Rated 09 Jun 2013
97
94th
Extraordinary study of the baffling, enigmatic figure of Liberace (played magnificently by Douglas, who somehow resists camp with every fibre of his being). Though too old for the part, Damon is no less convincing as his protege who is as strange a character in his own way. Soderbergh shows surprising restraint as director, utilising his typically gaudy colour design, but content to tell this strange story in a relatively straight-forward manner.
Rated 09 Jun 2013
burkayadaligburkayadalig
Rated 04 Jun 2013
69
37th
good start and then comes the terribly rushed 2nd and 3rd acts... great performances ruined by the pacing issues and sloppy script. Fun to watch but it could be so much better...
Rated 04 Jun 2013
redactedredacted
Rated 02 Jun 2013
80
70th
50 and calling it a day huh Soderbergh? You're too prolific for that. In the meantime his end note is a glam look at the Hollywood love cycle through the eyes of the extravagantly gay. Solid directorial vision matched with a performance Douglas won't be forgetting in a while. Damon started out as Matt Damon but built himself into a character by the time all is said and done. Maybe that's enough to retire on?
Rated 02 Jun 2013
the_pirateThe Pirate
Rated 01 Jun 2013
80
60th
I can't believe the studios didn't want to touch this great biopic! No movie should be denied funding just because the subjects in the movie are gay. Great performances, well-written script; I'll admit there are moments when the pace slows down and things feel a little dry, but it's still a highly investing and dazzling biopic. Not as good as "The Aviator", but pretty much on par with "Ray". Sad that it's the last composition from Hamlisch, hopefully not the last film by Soderbergh.
Rated 01 Jun 2013
aceysaid10AceySaid10%
Rated 31 May 2013
88
95th
The gay boogie nights. Some funny ass moments (no pun intended).
Rated 31 May 2013
aaautinAAAutin
Rated 28 May 2013
85
93rd
BOOGIE LIGHTS! (Courtesy of Britt Hayes.)
Rated 28 May 2013
superargoSuperargo
Rated 28 May 2013
54
35th
I have not been getting along too well with Mr. Soderbergh lately. A pair of fabulous lead performances, and some memorable moments scattered throughout, but what we've got here is another through-the-motions biopic about how celebrity entices and then corrupts. Also, it sure is a bad thing when people let themselves get hooked on drugs. Also, many famous people are shallow and self-obsessed. Snooze. There's lots of gold on the screen, though.
Rated 28 May 2013
walkenrollWalkenRoll
Rated 27 May 2013
75
60th
A decent way for Soderbergh to go out, if this is indeed his final film. And although I barely know anything about Liberace, it was good enough to keep me interested - went for Soderbergh, stayed for Rob Lowe, Dat make up.
Rated 27 May 2013

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