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Behind the Candelabra

  • 20132013
  • TV-MATV-MA
  • 1h 58m
IMDb RATING
7.0/10
44K
YOUR RATING
Behind the Candelabra (2013)
Based on the autobiographical novel, the tempestuous 6-year relationship between Liberace and his (much younger) lover, Scott Thorson, is recounted.
Play trailer1:58
6 Videos
99+ Photos
BiographyDramaMusic
A chronicle of the tempestuous six-year romance between megastar singer Liberace and his young lover Scott Thorson.A chronicle of the tempestuous six-year romance between megastar singer Liberace and his young lover Scott Thorson.A chronicle of the tempestuous six-year romance between megastar singer Liberace and his young lover Scott Thorson.
IMDb RATING
7.0/10
44K
YOUR RATING
  • Director
    • Steven Soderbergh
  • Writers
    • Richard LaGravenese(screenplay)
    • Scott Thorson(book)
    • Alex Thorleifson(book)
  • Stars
    • Michael Douglas
    • Matt Damon
    • Scott Bakula
  • Director
    • Steven Soderbergh
  • Writers
    • Richard LaGravenese(screenplay)
    • Scott Thorson(book)
    • Alex Thorleifson(book)
  • Stars
    • Michael Douglas
    • Matt Damon
    • Scott Bakula
  • See production, box office & company info
    • 188User reviews
    • 174Critic reviews
  • See more at IMDbPro
    • Won 11 Primetime Emmys
      • 45 wins & 54 nominations total

    Videos6

    UK Trailer
    Trailer 1:58
    Watch UK Trailer
    First Trailer
    Trailer 1:40
    Watch First Trailer
    Uggie, Toto, & Award-Winning Movie Dogs
    Clip 3:31
    Watch Uggie, Toto, & Award-Winning Movie Dogs
    Behind the Candelabra: Matt Damon (UK)
    Featurette 4:33
    Watch Behind the Candelabra: Matt Damon (UK)
    Behind the Candelabra: Michael Douglas (UK)
    Featurette 3:36
    Watch Behind the Candelabra: Michael Douglas (UK)
    What Roles Has Matt Damon Turned Down?
    Video 3:27
    Watch What Roles Has Matt Damon Turned Down?

    Photos205

    Michael Douglas in Behind the Candelabra (2013)
    Michael Douglas and Matt Damon in Behind the Candelabra (2013)
    Michael Douglas and Matt Damon in Behind the Candelabra (2013)
    Michael Douglas and Matt Damon in Behind the Candelabra (2013)
    Michael Douglas and Matt Damon in Behind the Candelabra (2013)
    Michael Douglas and Steven Soderbergh in Behind the Candelabra (2013)
    Steven Soderbergh and Jerry Weintraub in Behind the Candelabra (2013)
    Michael Douglas at an event for Behind the Candelabra (2013)
    Jerry Weintraub at an event for Behind the Candelabra (2013)
    Michael Douglas at an event for Behind the Candelabra (2013)
    Michael Douglas at an event for Behind the Candelabra (2013)
    Michael Douglas and Matt Damon at an event for Behind the Candelabra (2013)

    Top cast

    Edit
    Michael Douglas
    Michael Douglas
    • Liberace
    Matt Damon
    Matt Damon
    • Scott Thorson
    Scott Bakula
    Scott Bakula
    • Bob Black
    Eric Zuckerman
    Eric Zuckerman
    • Lou
    Eddie Jemison
    Eddie Jemison
    • Assistant Director
    Randy Lowell
    Randy Lowell
    • Director
    Tom Roach
    Tom Roach
    • Stunt Actor
    Shamus Cooley
    • Camera Assistant
    John Smutny
    • Sound Mixer
    Jane Morris
    Jane Morris
    • Rose Carracappa
    Garrett M. Brown
    Garrett M. Brown
    • Joe Carracappa
    Pat Asanti
    Pat Asanti
    • George Liberace
    Debbie Reynolds
    Debbie Reynolds
    • Frances Liberace
    Casey Kramer
    Casey Kramer
    • Dora Liberace
    Cheyenne Jackson
    Cheyenne Jackson
    • Billy Leatherwood
    Tom Papa
    Tom Papa
    • Ray Arnett
    Dan Aykroyd
    Dan Aykroyd
    • Seymour Heller
    James Kulick
    James Kulick
    • Assistant Stage Manager
    • Director
      • Steven Soderbergh
    • Writers
      • Richard LaGravenese(screenplay)
      • Scott Thorson(book)
      • Alex Thorleifson(book)
    • All cast & crew
    • Production, box office & more at IMDbPro

    Double Take: Showstopping Biopic Transformations

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    [object Object]
    Photos

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    Storyline

    Edit

    Did you know

    Edit
    • Trivia
      Michael Douglas turned 68 during filming, making him a few months older than Liberace was when he died. Although played by 42-year-old Matt Damon, Scott Thorson was only 18 when he met Liberace, and 23 when their relationship ended in April 1982. He was still only in his twenties when Liberace died. Played by 30-year-old Boyd Holbrook, Cary-James was also only 18 when he met Liberace.
    • Goofs
      At the funeral mass at the film's end, the congregation's response to the priest's opening liturgical greeting "The Lord be with You" is .."and with your spirit". This is a well-known change made about 20 years after the funeral - which took place in 1987, when the liturgical response would still have been "And also with you."
    • Quotes

      Liberace: I have an eye for new and refreshing talent.

      Scott Thorson: You have an eye for new and refreshing dick.

    • Connections
      Featured in At the Movies: Cannes Film Festival 2013 (2013)
    • Soundtracks
      Tico Tico
      Written by Zequinha de Abreu (as Zequinha Abreu) and Ervin Drake
      Piano Performed by Liberace
      Courtesy of Columbia Records
      By arrangement with Sony Music Licensing

    User reviews188

    Review
    Review
    Featured review
    7/10
    Master Class
    By sheer coincidence, just two nights prior to the debut of 'Behind the Candelabra', I had the pleasure of viewing one of my favorite films, 1965's 'The Loved One', in which Liberace played 'Mr.Starker', a casket salesman. So it was with Liberace's voice, image and mannerisms fresh in my mind that I encountered Michael Douglas' portrayal of the man and boy, did he nail it.

    The story itself is pretty much by the numbers with the kind of shorthand one expects from a TV movie bio; it's the performances that bring this to a certain level of greatness. Douglas all but disappears into the role, right from the start. It's truly an amazing thing to watch, and considering the subject, a brave and unapologetic performance. Matt Damon is equally impressive and while I have no idea if he does the real Scott Thorson justice, his transformation from an eager and innocent young man to a jaded, coked-up and surgically altered paranoid boy-toy is stark and convincing. Add to these chameleon-like performances an unrecognizable Debbie Reynolds and a truly unnerving Rob Lowe and you have two hours of truly compelling, master-class performances.

    Highly recommended.
    helpful•72
    10
    • Otto_Partz_973
    • May 27, 2013

    FAQ1

    • What substance is being inhaled by Liberace during his love scene with Scott at the 39-minute mark?

    Details

    Edit
    • Release date
      • May 26, 2013 (Canada)
    • Country of origin
      • United States
    • Official sites
      • Official site
      • Official site (Japan)
    • Language
      • English
    • Also known as
      • Liberace
    • Filming locations
      • Santa Clarita, California, USA
    • Production companies
      • HBO Films
      • Jerry Weintraub Productions
    • See more company credits at IMDbPro

    Box office

    Edit
    • Budget
      • $23,000,000 (estimated)
    • Gross worldwide
      • $13,352,609
    See detailed box office info on IMDbPro

    Technical specs

    Edit
    • Runtime
      1 hour 58 minutes
    • Color
      • Color
    • Sound mix
      • Dolby Digital
    • Aspect ratio
      • 1.85 : 1

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