NZIFF Review: ‘Behind the Candleabra’

Based on the memoir of Scott Thorson and co-writer Alex Thorleifson, this film gives us a glimpse behind the glitter and sparkle that was the signature of flamboyant pianist Liberace.

In the late 70s, Liberace became involved with a gorgeous young hunk, Thorson, who was 40 years his junior. This is Scott’s story of what happened when he was swept into Liberace’s kitsch and privileged world.

And what a decadent and hedonistic world it is. When Scott moves into Liberace’s Las Vegas mansion, the boy who held this position is pushed out. Scott is lavished with gifts of jewellery, cars and even a house in his name. Champagne flows freely, and sex is enjoyed many times a day. For a boy who worked as an animal wrangler on LA film sets, this new world is intoxicating, and Liberace (Lee to his friends) is a benevolent lover.

But nothing this good can last. Soon Lee is making strange demands on his young lover, making him part of his stage act and asking him to go under the knife to make his features more like those of a young Liberace. The plastic surgeon puts them both on the California diet to rid them of the chub they’ve amassed while languishing in their love nest.

Things become even more twisted when Liberace begins adoption proceedings – to make Scott his son. Scott has also become addicted to diet pills and cocaine.

As their relationship sours and Liberace’s eye wanders to a younger model, Scott becomes increasingly desperate to keep everything the same.

Camp, kitschy and as rhinestone-studded as Liberace’s suits, this is not a straightforward bio-pic. There are multiple layers, examining professionalism, performance, romance and, of course, the great looming presence of the closet. It seems impossible that someone so obviously, flamboyantly gay could get away with denying it.

Michael Douglas is perfect as Liberace, capturing his mannerisms and voice perfectly. As the young hunk, Matt Damon is appropriately hunky. And Rob Lowe, as the plastic surgeon who has used WAY too many of his own services, is hilarious enough to be worth the price of admission on his own.

7.5/10

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