Behind the Candelabra [2013]

November 5, 2013

I know what you’re thinking: what the fuck is Behind the Candelabra? Furthermore, I can guess your next two questions: While we are at it, what the fuck is Candelabra and Why should I watch a movie about a gay entertainer, I don’t like musicals? Now, the answers to your questions and more: Behind the Candelabra is an HBO-produced movie about the life of famous entertainer Liberace and his relationships. Not to be confused with Versace, an Italian fashion designer who was killed in 1997.

If you don’t know much about Liberace I highly recommend the BBC documentary called Liberace: Too Much of a Good Thing is Wonderful that should help with that. In fact, you should first check out the documentary and then dive into the movie. The links can be found after the review. This will get you to appreciate more the effort that was put in this masterpiece. Candelabra, sometimes called a candle tree, is a candlestick holder with multiple arms. Finally, you should watch this movie because it’s much more than just a biopic, this movie is a fucking Stargate towards the gay universe.

Scott Thorson, age 17, is full of dreams. He likes animals and is currently working with them on movie sets. It is the year 1977, and being gay is no longer punishable by death and lynching, so Scott is just chillin in his local gay bar, and this is the place where he will meet Bob Black. Bob is a movie producer, and he takes him to see someone perform. That someone is none other than Liberace, a sweet man who captured the hearts of millions of people around the world. He was the son that the grandmas never had, the lover that the wives were dreaming of, and he was gay. After the show, Bob asked Scott if he wanted to meet Liberace…

I would fuck Matt Damon behind the candelabra, or on it, or with it and I would let Micheal Douglas brokeback me all night long. They were that good, especially Micheal, who played the role of his life. We are also treated with the gay seventies version of captain Archer, engage indeed. These were extremely demanding roles, especially for straight men. And let us not forget the director Steven Soderbergh who with this movie and Side Effects proved that he still got it.

The humorous aspect of Behind the Candelabra is also another thing that made this movie a perfect ten. Not only it’s funny intentionally, but some of the scenes are so weird that you just can’t help yourself but laugh. There’s nothing going on in the movie, there are no big explosions, serial murders, or anything but somehow, you will be on the edge of your seat all the time. That dynamic between the two lovers and various aspects and things that deserve proper analysis will keep you coming back to this movie as you try to persuade your friends to check it out.