Steven Soderbergh’s film explores the tumultuous relationship between Liberace and Scott Thorson, delving into themes of love, obsession, and the dark underbelly of fame.
Steven Soderbergh ’s TV film honours the master pianist in the only appropriate way: with lurid spectacle. As RuPaul Charles famously said in a 2013 episode of Drag Race, 'gay people, we get to choose our family,' a sentiment resonating deeply with the story of Scott Thorson and Liberace. In 2013, HBO aired Soderbergh’s captivating TV movie Behind the Candelabra, based on Thorson’s 1988 memoir chronicling their tumultuous relationship.
The film delves into the world of one of the most adored, yet closeted homosexuals of the 20th century, offering a glimpse into his private life and the unusual chosen family he forged with Thorson. Matt Damon portrays Thorson, a young man who, after a difficult childhood in orphanages and foster homes, encounters Liberace (brilliantly played by Michael Douglas) at the height of his stardom. Thorson, impressionable and seeking acceptance, is drawn into Liberace’s flamboyant world. Their relationship blossoms into a passionate affair, with Thorson enjoying the luxuries of Liberace’s Las Vegas mansion. However, the film takes a darker turn when Liberace proposes adoption, wanting to be everything to Thorson: father, brother, lover, best friend. This unconventional family dynamic further blurs the lines between love, obsession, and manipulation. Adding another layer of complexity is the involvement of a plastic surgeon (played by a stiffly brilliant Rob Lowe) who, at Liberace’s behest, suggests that Thorson undergo facial surgery to resemble his adoptive father. This disturbing act transforms the film into a gothic horror story, highlighting Liberace’s desperate grasp on youth and his unsettling desire for control. The film masterfully captures the essence of Liberace’s stage persona, his penchant for spectacle, and his calculated image. It delves into the underlying anxieties and desires that fueled his public performances and his private life. Behind the Candelabra is a film that thrives on its scandalous subject matter and its unflinching exploration of complex themes. It is a story of love, obsession, and the desperate search for acceptance, all wrapped in the dazzling trappings of showmanship
Drama Film Review LIBERACE SCOTT THORSON BEHIND THE CANDELABRA STEVEN SODERBERGH OBSESSION LOVE SHOWBUSINESS HOLLYWOOD
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