Behind the Candelabra
| Behind the Candelabra | |
|---|---|
 Television release poster | |
| Directed by | Steven Soderbergh |
| Written by | Richard LaGravenese |
| Produced by | Susan Ekins Gregory Jacobs Michael Polaire |
| Starring | Michael Douglas Matt Damon |
Production company | |
| Distributed by | HBO (US) eOne Films (UK) |
Release dates |
|
Running time | 118 minutes[1] |
| Country | United States |
| Language | English |
Behind the Candelabra is a 2013 American drama film directed by Steven Soderbergh about the life of pianist Liberace and the secret affair he had with young Scott Thorson, based on Thorson’s memoir, Behind the Candelabra: My Life With Liberace (1988).[2] It premiered at the 2013 Cannes Film Festival on May 21, 2013 and was eligible to compete for the Palme d'Or at the 2013 Cannes Film Festival.[3]
The film is not eligible for an Academy Award; it aired on HBO on May 26, 2013 and was not released to theaters in the United States. It will be released in the United Kingdom on June 7, 2013.[4]
Cast
- Michael Douglas as Liberace
- Matt Damon as Scott Thorson
- Dan Aykroyd as Seymour Heller
- Rob Lowe as Dr. Jack Startz
- Debbie Reynolds as Frances Liberace
- Scott Bakula as Bob Black
- Tom Papa as Ray Arnett
- Paul Reiser as Mr. Felder
- Nicky Katt as Mr. Y
- Cheyenne Jackson as Billy Leatherwood (based on Liberace's protégé Vince Cardell)
Production
![[icon]](/wiki/File:Wiki_letter_w_cropped.svg){kind=small} | This section needs expansion. You can help by adding to it. (May 2013) |
Soderbergh had difficulty securing funding for the project with Hollywood studios saying it was "too gay" but was eventually able to secure funding from HBO Films.[5][6][7]
Soderbergh has said this will be his last film.[2]
Reception
Rotten Tomatoes gives a score of 91% based on reviews from 43 critics.[8]
Peter Bradshaw of The Guardian gave the film 4/5 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."[9]
Awards
At the 2013 Cannes Film Festival, Baby Boy (a dog that appeared in the film as one of Liberace's pet poodles), won the Palm Dog Award.[10] This is not an official part of the festival but takes place at the same time.
References
- ^ "BEHIND THE CANDELABRA (15)". British Board of Film Classification. 2013-05-17. Retrieved 2013-05-29.
- ^ a b "BEHIND THE CANDELABRA; The Book, The Movie". EarlyWord. March 20, 2013.
- ^ "2013 Official Selection". Cannes. 18 April 2013. Retrieved 18 April 2013.
- ^ Higgins, Charlotte (2013-05-21), "Behind the Candelabra is tipped for Cannes success – but can't win Oscar", Guardian, retrieved 2013-05-25
- ^ Jagernauth, Kevin (2013-01-05), Steven Soderbergh Says 'Behind The Candelabra' Was Rejected By Hollywood Studios For Being "Too Gay", Indiewire, retrieved 2013-05-26
- ^ Cannes Film Festival: Behind the Candelabra and Omar, BBC, 2013-05-22, retrieved 2013-05-26
- ^ Frosch, Jon (2013-05-21), Steven Soderbergh's 'Too-Gay' Liberace Movie Has Arrived at Cannes, The Atlantic, retrieved 2013-05-26
- ^ "Behind the Candelabra (2013)". Rotten Tomatoes. Flixster. Retrieved May 29 2013.
{{cite web}}: Check date values in:|accessdate=(help) - ^ Bradshaw, Peter (2013-05-26), Cannes 2013: Behind the Candelabra – first look review, Guardian, retrieved 2013-05-27
- ^ "Cannes Palm Dog Award Goes to Liberace's Blind Poodle". Variety. 26 May 2013. Retrieved 26 May 2013.