Behind The Candelabra (2013)

Classic example of a movie that I haven't seen in time to include on my "Top 10" list of 2013... but let me tell you now: This would feature pretty high in the list.

Behind The Candelabra (2013) is a movie directed by Steve Sodenbergh that depicts the last 10 years of musician / entertainer Liberace, played brilliantly by Michael Douglas. It is heavily based on a book written by Scott Thorson, who just so happened to be his lover. His role was assigned to Matt Damon, who also delivered a very strong performance, contributing to a wonderful on-screen chemistry between the two leads. But more than the strong roles that are featured in this movie, one of the key elements to its success is the story-telling... and it just so happens that this is no ordinary story. In my eyes, it's a dark, twisted, secret love story, centered in one of American's big pop culture icons.
Not only the movie can be perceived as funny and entertaining, it almost should be viewed as educational. I mean... I barely heard of Liberace until I saw this!

And to think it struggled to get produced because most Hollywood studios thought it was "too gay".

Really?

You say no to a film directed by Steven Soderbergh, featuring Michael Douglas and Matt Damon because you think its "too gay"?

Thankfully, HBO was able to recognize serious potential in this project and stepped up to make it happen. 

It just baffles me that several movie companies weren't able to finance something that featured one of the best directors out there, plus an ensemble cast led by two of the most charismatic and talented actors around. I always knew Michael Douglas was good.... but I was used to watching him play "the stud", so you can imagine how "strange" it was to see him play Liberace. Not necessary because he was gay, but because it was quite the opposite of the character stereotype he used to take on. But that's the ability of great actors... the power to metamorphose into whole different creatures. Mr. Douglas did just that...

Aside from those two, it was a pleasure seeing on screen names such as Dan Aykroyd, Rob Lowe (he's hilarious!) and Paul Reiser (who I haven't seen for years!!). Big fan of all three of them!

As Liberace famously said:

Too much of a good thing is wonderful!