Behind the Candelabra

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Behind the Candelabra
Behind the Candelabra poster.jpg
Television release poster
Based on
Behind the Candelabra
by
Screenplay by Richard LaGravenese
Directed by Steven Soderbergh
Starring
Music by Marvin Hamlisch
Country of originUnited States
Original languageEnglish
Production
Executive producer Jerry Weintraub
Producers
Cinematography Peter Andrews
Editor Mary Ann Bernard
Running time118 minutes [1]
Production companies
BudgetUS$23 million [2]
Original release
Network HBO
ReleaseMay 26, 2013 (2013-05-26)

Behind the Candelabra is a 2013 American biographical comedy drama television film directed by Steven Soderbergh from a screenplay by Richard LaGravenese, based on the 1988 book of the same name by Scott Thorson and Alex Thorleifson. It dramatizes the last ten years in the life of pianist Liberace and the relationship that he had with Thorson. [3]

Contents

It premiered at the 2013 Cannes Film Festival on May 21, 2013, and competed for the Palme d'Or. [4] It aired on HBO on May 26, 2013, and was given a cinematic release in the United Kingdom on June 7, 2013. [5] The film received critical acclaim from television critics, including praise for the performances of Michael Douglas and Matt Damon. It marked the final onscreen acting role for Debbie Reynolds before her death in 2016.

Plot

In 1977, 18-year-old Scott Thorson, who works as an animal trainer for films, meets Bob Black, a Hollywood producer, in a gay bar in Los Angeles. At Black's urging, he leaves his adopted home in search of better-paying work. Black introduces Thorson to Liberace, who takes an immediate liking to the handsome younger man. Liberace invites the two backstage and then to his luxurious home in Las Vegas.

Thorson observes that one of Liberace's beloved dogs has a temporary form of blindness, and with his veterinary assistant background, informs the famous pianist that he knows how to cure the condition. After treating the dog, Thorson becomes Liberace's "assistant" at the performer's request. Thorson also becomes employed as Liberace's stage chauffeur, driving a Rolls-Royce limousine onto the stage for Liberace's grand entrances.

Thorson moves in with Liberace and becomes his lover. At this point, Thorson says that he is bisexual because he is also attracted to women. Liberace is sympathetic, informing him that he wanted and tried to love women, but was exclusively attracted to men. A devout Catholic, he relates a story of a "divine healing" in which an angelic "messenger" dressed as a nun informed him that God still loved him.

It gradually becomes clear that Liberace is trying to mold Thorson into a younger version of himself. He asks his plastic surgeon, Dr. Jack Startz, to transform Scott's face to more closely resemble his own, and he even tries unsuccessfully to adopt him. Startz prescribes drugs for Thorson to help him lose weight, and Thorson soon turns to other drugs as he becomes angrier and more frustrated with Liberace's attempts to control him as well as Liberace's obsession with hiding their romance and homosexuality from the public.

By 1982, Thorson's increasing drug abuse and Liberace's interest in younger men, including dancer Cary James, creates a rift that ultimately destroys their relationship. Liberace begins visiting pornographic peep shows and suggests that they each see other people. Later, Thorson starts flying into jealous rages, whereupon Liberace kicks him out and ends their partnership.

Scott Thorson retains an attorney to seek his financial share by suing Liberace for over $100 million in palimony. In 1984, Thorson's palimony lawsuit starts in which he gives details about his romance for five years with the entertainer, while Liberace flatly denies any sexual relationship. Thorson settles for $75,000, three cars, and three pet dogs.

In December 1986, Thorson receives a telephone call from Liberace telling him that he is very ill with what is later revealed to be AIDS and that he would like Thorson to visit him again. Thorson agrees and drives to Liberace's retreat house in Palm Springs, where he and Liberace have one last, emotional conversation. Liberace dies a few months later in February 1987. Thorson attends Liberace's funeral, in which he imagines seeing Liberace performing one last time with his traditional flamboyance, before being lifted to Heaven with a stage harness.

Cast

Production

Liberace's rhinestone-studded Excalibur, which was used in the production Liberace's rhinestone car TWC jeh.jpg
Liberace's rhinestone-studded Excalibur, which was used in the production

Director Steven Soderbergh first spoke with Michael Douglas about the idea of doing a Liberace film during the production of Traffic (2000), but had trouble figuring out an angle for it that would differentiate it from a traditional biopic. [7] In the summer of 2008, Soderbergh contacted screenwriter Richard LaGravenese with the idea of adapting Scott Thorson's memoir Behind the Candelabra: My Life with Liberace . [8] In September 2008, the project was officially announced with Matt Damon close to signing on to play Thorson and Douglas in talks to portray Liberace. [9]

The following year, Douglas officially signed on to play Liberace alongside Damon. [10] The film spent several years in development while Soderbergh had difficulty securing funding, with Hollywood studios saying it was "too gay". [11] [12] [13] During this time, Douglas and Damon remained adamant that they would appear in the film despite its lengthy development. [8] Ultimately, the film was picked up by HBO Films and shot on a budget of $23 million over thirty days in 2012. [2]

While promoting the film, Soderbergh went on to explain that this would be his last directorial effort for the time being. [3] [7] It is also the last film to feature a musical score by composer Marvin Hamlisch, who died on August 6, 2012. [14] [15]

Scenes set in Las Vegas were filmed at Zsa Zsa Gabor's mansion in Bel Air (interior and some exterior shots) [16] and Siegfried & Roy's mansion in Las Vegas (driveway); Liberace's West Hollywood penthouse had been converted into an office space after his death, but the building's owner convinced the current occupants to temporarily relocate during filming, and the space was returned to Liberace's original design. Performances were filmed at the Las Vegas Hilton, where Liberace once had a residency. [17] Production designer was Howard Cummings, while set decorator was Barbara Munch Cameron. [16]

The pianos used in the film were also once owned by Liberace; one of the pianos used in the opening scenes had been purchased by Debbie Gibson at the 1988 estate sale. [17] Michael Douglas' head was digitally composited onto the body of Philip Fortenberry for the piano playing performances. Fortenberry, who had entertained audiences at the Liberace Museum, stated the rings needed to be glued to his fingers: "These rings kept flopping around and clicking on the keys." [18]

Reception

Critical response

The film received critical acclaim. Review aggregation website Rotten Tomatoes gives the film an approval rating of 94%, based on reviews from 108 film critics with an average score of 8.1 out of 10. The website's critical consensus reads: "Affectionate without sacrificing honesty, Behind the Candelabra couples award-worthy performances from Michael Douglas and Matt Damon with some typically sharp direction from Steven Soderbergh." [1] Metacritic, which assigns a weighted average score out of 100 to reviews from mainstream critics, gives the film a score of 83 based on 30 reviews. [19]

Peter Bradshaw of The Guardian gave the film four out of five stars, saying "As a black comedy, and as a portrait of celebrity loneliness, Behind the Candelabra is very stylish and effective, and Damon and Douglas give supremely entertaining performances." [20]

Ratings

The film, shown for the first time on American television on May 26, 2013, was watched by 2.4 million US viewers. A further 1.1 million tuned in to watch the repeat immediately after, bringing viewership to 3.5 million in total. [21] When the film debuted on HBO, it achieved the highest ratings for a television film since 2004. [22]

Box office

The film grossed $13.3 million in the territories it was released theatrically. [23]

Accolades

YearAwardCategoryNominee(s)ResultRef.
2013
 Artios Awards Outstanding Achievement in Casting – Television Movie/Mini SeriesCarmen Cuba and Wittney HortonWon [24]
California on Location Awards Independent Feature FilmCaleb DuffyWon [25]
Cannes Film Festival Palme d'Or Steven Soderbergh Nominated [26]
[27]
Queer Palm Nominated
Palm Dog Award Baby BoyWon
Critics' Choice Television Awards Best Movie/Miniseries Won [28]
Best Actor in a Movie/Miniseries Matt Damon Nominated
Michael Douglas Won
Dublin Film Critics' Circle Awards Best Film6th Place [29]
Best DirectorSteven Soderbergh4th Place
Best ActorMichael Douglas3rd Place
Best Screenplay Richard LaGravenese 10th Place
Hollywood Post Alliance Awards Outstanding Color Grading – Television John DaroNominated [30]
Online Film & Television Association AwardsBest Motion Picture or MiniseriesWon [a] [31]
Best Actor in a Motion Picture or MiniseriesMatt DamonNominated
Michael DouglasWon
Best Supporting Actor in a Motion Picture or Miniseries Scott Bakula Nominated
Best Direction of a Motion Picture or MiniseriesSteven SoderberghWon
Best Writing of a Motion Picture or MiniseriesRichard LaGraveneseWon
Best Ensemble in a Motion Picture or MiniseriesNominated
Best Cinematography in a Non-SeriesNominated
Best Costume Design in a Non-SeriesWon
Best Editing in a Non-SeriesNominated
Best Makeup/Hairstyling in a Non-SeriesWon
Best Music in a Non-Series Liberace Nominated
Best New Theme Song in a SeriesNominated
Best New Titles SequenceNominated
Best Production Design in a Non-SeriesNominated
Best Sound in a Non-SeriesNominated
Best Visual Effects in a Non-SeriesNominated
Primetime Emmy Awards Outstanding Television Movie Jerry Weintraub, Gregory Jacobs, Susan Ekins, and Michael PolaireWon [32]
Outstanding Lead Actor in a Limited Series or Movie Matt DamonNominated
Michael DouglasWon
Outstanding Supporting Actor in a Limited Series or Movie Scott BakulaNominated
Outstanding Directing for a Limited Series or Movie Steven SoderberghWon
Outstanding Writing for a Limited Series or Movie Richard LaGraveneseNominated
Primetime Creative Arts Emmy Awards Outstanding Art Direction for a Miniseries or Movie Howard Cummings, Patrick M. Sullivan Jr., and Barbara MunchWon
Outstanding Casting for a Miniseries or Movie Carmen CubaWon
Outstanding Cinematography for a Miniseries or Movie Steven Soderbergh (as Peter Andrews)Nominated
Outstanding Costumes for a Miniseries, Movie or Special Ellen Mirojnick and Robert Q. MatthewsWon
Outstanding Hairstyling for a Miniseries or Movie Marie Larkin, Yvette Stone, Kerrie Smith, and Kay GeorgiouWon
Outstanding Makeup (Non-Prosthetic) Kate Biscoe, Deborah Rutherford, Deborah La Mia Denaver,
Christine Beveridge, and Todd Kleitsch		Won
Outstanding Prosthetic Makeup Kate Biscoe, Hiroshi Yada, Jamie Kelman, Stephen Kelley,
Chrissie Beveridge, Todd Kleitsch, and Christien Tinsley		Won
Outstanding Single-Camera Picture Editing for a Miniseries or a Movie Steven Soderbergh (as Mary Ann Bernard)Won
Outstanding Sound Mixing for a Miniseries or a Movie Dennis Towns, Larry Blake, and Thomas VicariWon
Television Critics Association Awards Outstanding Achievement in Movies, Miniseries and Specials Won [33]
2014
 American Cinema Editors Awards Best Edited Miniseries or Motion Picture for Television Steven Soderbergh (as Mary Ann Bernard)Won [34]
Art Directors Guild Awards Excellence in Production Design Award – Television Movie or Mini-Series Howard Cummings, Patrick M. Sullivan Jr., Eric R. Johnson,
Karen Teneyck, Thomas Machan, John Berger, Eric Sundahl,
Greg Berry, and Barbara Munch		Won [35]
British Academy Film Awards Best Actor in a Supporting Role Matt DamonNominated [36]
[37]
Best Adapted Screenplay Richard LaGraveneseNominated
Best Costume Design Ellen MirojnickNominated
Best Makeup and Hair Kate Biscoe and Marie LarkinNominated
Best Production Design Howard Cummings and Barbara Munch-CameronNominated
Cinema Audio Society Awards Outstanding Achievement in Sound Mixing for Television Movies and Mini-Series Dennis Towns, Larry Blake, Thomas Vicari, and Scott CurtisWon [38]
Costume Designers Guild Awards Outstanding Made for Television Movie or Miniseries Ellen MirojnickWon [39]
Directors Guild of America Awards Outstanding Directorial Achievement in Movies for Television and Miniseries Steven SoderberghWon [40]
Dorian Awards TV Drama of the YearWon [b] [41]
TV Performance of the Year – ActorMichael DouglasWon
LGBT TV Show of the YearNominated
Campy TV Show of the YearNominated
GLAAD Media Awards Outstanding TV Movie or Mini-Series Won [42]
Golden Globe Awards Best Miniseries or Television Film Won [43]
Best Actor – Miniseries or Television Film Matt DamonNominated
Michael DouglasWon
Best Supporting Actor – Series, Miniseries or Television Film Rob LoweNominated
Guild of Music Supervisors Awards Best Music Supervision in Television Long Form and Movies Evyen Klean Won [44]
Irish Film & Television Awards International ActorMichael DouglasNominated [45]
Jupiter Awards Best International ActorNominated [46]
Location Managers Guild Awards Outstanding Achievement by a Location Professional – TV ProgramCaleb DuffyNominated [47]
London Film Critics Circle Awards Actor of the Year Michael DouglasNominated [48]
Technical Achievement Howard Cummings (production design)Nominated
Make-Up Artists and Hair Stylists Guild Awards Best Period and/or Character Hair Styling –
Television Mini-Series or Motion Picture Made for Television		Marie Larkin and Yvette StoneWon [49]
Best Period and/or Character Makeup –
Television Mini-Series or Motion Picture Made for Television		Kate Biscoe and Deborah RutherfordWon
People's Choice Awards Favorite TV Movie/MiniseriesNominated [50]
Producers Guild of America Awards David L. Wolper Award for Outstanding Producer of Long-Form Television Susan Ekins, Gregory Jacobs, Michael Polaire, and Jerry WeintraubWon [51]
Satellite Awards Best Miniseries or Motion Picture Made for Television Nominated [52]
Best Actor in a Miniseries or a Motion Picture Made for Television Matt DamonNominated
Michael DouglasWon
Screen Actors Guild Awards Outstanding Performance by a Male Actor in a Television Movie or Miniseries Matt DamonNominated [53]
Michael DouglasWon

See also

Notes

References

  1. 1 2 "Behind the Candelabra (2013)". Rotten Tomatoes . Fandango Media. Archived from the original on June 7, 2013. Retrieved January 4, 2023.
  2. 1 2 "AP Interview: Soderbergh On Quitting Movies". NPR. Associated Press. May 20, 2013. Archived from the original on May 20, 2013. Retrieved June 1, 2013.
  3. 1 2 "Behind the Candelabra; The Book, The Movie". EarlyWord. March 20, 2013. Archived from the original on May 29, 2013. Retrieved May 9, 2013.
  4. ↑ "2013 Official Selection". Cannes. April 18, 2013. Archived from the original on February 11, 2017. Retrieved April 18, 2013.
  5. ↑ Higgins, Charlotte (May 21, 2013). "Behind the Candelabra is tipped for Cannes success – but can't win Oscar". Guardian. Archived from the original on May 26, 2021. Retrieved May 25, 2013.
  6. ↑ SCargoProductionsInc (May 6, 2013). "When Liberace Winks At Me". Archived from the original on May 28, 2021. Retrieved July 30, 2017– via YouTube.
  7. 1 2 Azzopardi, Chris (May 16, 2013). "Behind the 'Candelabra'". Out & About Nashville. Archived from the original on March 4, 2016. Retrieved June 2, 2013.
  8. 1 2 Radish, Christina (May 26, 2013). "Richard LaGravenese Talks BEHIND THE CANDELABRA, Signing on to the Film, Input from Matt Damon and Michael Douglas & Working with Steven Soderbergh". Collider.com. Archived from the original on June 6, 2013. Retrieved June 1, 2013.
  9. ↑ Chen, David (September 11, 2008). "Soderbergh To Direct "Liberace" Biopic, Michael Douglas To Play Lead". /Film. Archived from the original on March 4, 2016. Retrieved June 1, 2013.
  10. ↑ Dominguez, Robert (September 16, 2009). "Michael Douglas signs on to play Liberace in new biopic - and playing his lover will be ..." NY Daily News . Archived from the original on June 20, 2013. Retrieved June 1, 2013.
  11. ↑ Jagernauth, Kevin (January 5, 2013). "Steven Soderbergh Says 'Behind The Candelabra' Was Rejected By Hollywood Studios For Being "Too Gay"". Indiewire. Archived from the original on May 24, 2013. Retrieved May 26, 2013.
  12. ↑ "Cannes Film Festival: Behind the Candelabra and Omar". BBC. May 22, 2013. Archived from the original on June 8, 2013. Retrieved May 26, 2013.
  13. ↑ Frosch, Jon (May 21, 2013). "Steven Soderbergh's 'Too-Gay' Liberace Movie Has Arrived at Cannes". The Atlantic. Archived from the original on July 8, 2013. Retrieved May 26, 2013.
  14. ↑ Jagernauth, Kevin (August 9, 2012). "Steven Soderbergh's 'Behind The Candelabra' Will Feature Marvin Hamlisch's Final Score". IndieWire . Archived from the original on June 4, 2013. Retrieved June 1, 2013.
  15. ↑ Lang, Brent (August 7, 2012). "Marvin Hamlisch, Composed 'The Way We Were,' Dies at 68". The Wrap . Archived from the original on May 17, 2020. Retrieved June 1, 2013.
  16. 1 2 Whitlock, Catherine; Barius, Claudette (photography) (December 2012). "HBO's Liberace Movie, Behind the Candelabra, Set Design". Architectural Digest. Archived from the original on February 17, 2020. Retrieved February 17, 2020.
  17. 1 2 Sneed, Tierney (May 29, 2013). "Behind the Candelabras in 'Behind the Candelabra'". U.S. News & World Report. Archived from the original on February 17, 2020. Retrieved February 17, 2020.
  18. ↑ Fordyke, Kimberly (May 27, 2013). "'Behind the Candelabra': The Secret of Michael Douglas' Piano Skills Revealed". The Hollywood Reporter. Archived from the original on February 17, 2020. Retrieved February 17, 2020.
  19. ↑ "Behind the Candelabra Reviews". Metacritic . CBS Interactive. Archived from the original on June 7, 2013. Retrieved June 1, 2013.
  20. ↑ Bradshaw, Peter (May 26, 2013). "Cannes 2013: Behind the Candelabra – first look review". The Guardian . Archived from the original on October 3, 2013. Retrieved May 27, 2013.
  21. ↑ "Liberace film watched by 2.4 million in US". BBC. May 30, 2013. Archived from the original on May 31, 2013. Retrieved May 31, 2013.
  22. ↑ "Steven Soderbergh's 'Behind the Candelabra' Is the Highest Rated HBO Movie Since 2004". IndieWire. May 28, 2013. Archived from the original on June 8, 2013. Retrieved June 23, 2013.
  23. ↑ "Behind the Candelabra (2013)". Box Office Mojo . IMDb. June 7, 2013. Archived from the original on April 16, 2024. Retrieved April 16, 2024.
  24. ↑ "2013 Artios Awards". www.castingsociety.com. Archived from the original on April 25, 2023. Retrieved November 18, 2013.
  25. ↑ "2013 COLA Winners". California on Location Awards. Archived from the original on April 19, 2023. Retrieved September 8, 2022.
  26. ↑ "Awards 2013: All the awards". festival-cannes.com. Cannes Film Festival. Archived from the original on November 22, 2016.
  27. ↑ "Cannes Palm Dog Award Goes to Liberace's Blind Poodle". Variety. May 26, 2013. Archived from the original on June 8, 2013. Retrieved May 26, 2013.
  28. ↑ Molloy, Tim (June 10, 2013). "Critics' Choice TV Awards: 'Game of Thrones' and 'Breaking Bad' Tie for Best Drama, 'Big Bang Theory' Wins Best Comedy". TheWrap . Archived from the original on November 7, 2016. Retrieved June 10, 2013.
  29. ↑ "The Dublin Film Critics' Circle announce their Best of 2013 Awards". entertainment.ie. December 18, 2013. Archived from the original on August 22, 2015. Retrieved September 9, 2022.
  30. ↑ "2013 HPA Awards". Hollywood Professional Association . Archived from the original on April 8, 2023. Retrieved September 8, 2022.
  31. ↑ "17th Annual TV Awards (2012-13)". Online Film & Television Association. Archived from the original on August 9, 2019. Retrieved May 15, 2021.
  32. ↑ "Behind the Candelabra". Emmys.com. Academy of Television Arts & Sciences. Archived from the original on June 30, 2017. Retrieved July 13, 2017.
  33. ↑ de Moraes, Lisa (August 3, 2013). "FX's TCA Awards: AMC's 'Breaking Bad' Wins Program Of The Year – Winners List (Live)". Deadline Hollywood . Archived from the original on August 5, 2013. Retrieved August 3, 2013.
  34. ↑ The Deadline Team (January 10, 2014). "Film Editors Unveil ACE Eddie Award Nominations". Deadline Hollywood . Archived from the original on February 14, 2014. Retrieved February 2, 2014.
  35. ↑ "Nominees/Winners". Art Directors Guild. Archived from the original on May 31, 2021. Retrieved July 29, 2018.
  36. ↑ "BAFTA Awards: Film in 2014". BAFTA . 2014. Archived from the original on October 9, 2014. Retrieved September 16, 2016.
  37. ↑ "Bafta Film Awards 2014: Full list of winners". BBC News. February 17, 2014. Archived from the original on September 15, 2014. Retrieved February 17, 2014.
  38. ↑ "50th Awards Winners – Cinema Audio Society". Cinema Audio Society Awards. Archived from the original on October 22, 2016. Retrieved February 22, 2014.
  39. ↑ "16th Costume Designers Guild Awards". Costume Designers Guild . Archived from the original on December 7, 2021. Retrieved May 21, 2016.
  40. ↑ "66th DGA Awards". Directors Guild of America Awards . Archived from the original on October 6, 2022. Retrieved July 5, 2021.
  41. ↑ "Dorian Awards Past Winners". Dorian Awards . Archived from the original on August 6, 2017. Retrieved October 5, 2019.
  42. ↑ "25th Annual GLAAD Media Awards Winners Announced". Deadline Hollywood . April 12, 2014. Archived from the original on April 14, 2014. Retrieved April 14, 2014.
  43. ↑ "Behind the Candelabra – Golden Globes". HFPA . Archived from the original on August 3, 2021. Retrieved July 5, 2021.
  44. ↑ "4th Annual Guild of Music Supervisors Awards". Guild of Music Supervisors Awards . Archived from the original on February 23, 2019. Retrieved February 26, 2014.
  45. ↑ "IFTA ANNOUNCES WINNERS OF THE 11TH ANNUAL IRISH FILM & TELEVISION AWARDS". IFTA.ie. April 5, 2014. Archived from the original on August 3, 2017. Retrieved April 7, 2014.
  46. ↑ "JUPITER AWARD 2014". Jupiter Award . Archived from the original on September 9, 2022. Retrieved September 8, 2022.
  47. ↑ Johns, Nikara (February 27, 2014). "Location Managers Guild Sets Inaugural Awards". Variety. Archived from the original on February 2, 2016. Retrieved December 11, 2014.
  48. ↑ "'12 Years a Slave' Leads London Critics' Circle Film Awards Nominations". The Hollywood Reporter. December 17, 2013. Archived from the original on March 19, 2015. Retrieved December 21, 2013.
  49. ↑ King, Susan (February 15, 2014). "'Dallas Buyers Club,' 'American Hustle' among makeup, hair winners". Los Angeles Times . Archived from the original on February 23, 2022. Retrieved September 8, 2022.
  50. ↑ "People's Choice Awards 2014: The winners list". Archived from the original on November 11, 2014. Retrieved September 9, 2022.
  51. ↑ "2014 PGA Awards: Winners and Nominees". Variety. January 19, 2014. Archived from the original on January 23, 2014. Retrieved February 9, 2018.
  52. ↑ "2013 Satellite Awards". Satellite Awards . International Press Academy. Archived from the original on August 11, 2018. Retrieved July 10, 2021.
  53. ↑ "The 20th Annual Screen Actors Guild Awards". Screen Actors Guild Awards . Archived from the original on January 21, 2014. Retrieved May 21, 2016.
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