Behind the Candelabra

[LondonCityNights]

Loved it. Michael Douglas was fantastic. Here's my review:

http://www.londoncitynights.com/2013/05 ... ed-by.html

[wavell]

Loved the film. Douglas definitely outshone Damon, who was really a bit too old to convincingly play an 18 year old. Of course Douglas camped it up, but then so did Liberace!

[melomanias]

Just came from the Slackers Club free session and - it's not because it was free - I loved it!

Not only were the actors great, but their performances were also quite surprising! In other words, it's not the kind of roles I usually imagine Matt Damon or Michael Douglas in. And Rob Lowe... well Mr. Lowe definitely caught me off guard I'm used to the Parks & Rec health freak and suddenly I see him embracing plastic surgery and all kinds of "body enhancement" drugs. And his face? Oh my, what the hell happened to his face?! Hilarious.

I like Liberace's music but I was unaware of any details from his personal life so I have no "facts" to compare this to, but I left the cinema feeling that the story I was told was both funny and sad, shocking and predictable, hyperbolized and human. Because life is also made of bits and pieces that don't fit together neatly, I like these kinds of stories. You see what's coming, but you still feel surprised. You think the characters are weird, but you still empathize.

Oh, and I want to get a picture of Rob Lowe and put it on my desktop. It's just too funny not to be looked at everyday!

[yogi]

An excellent film with some great performances. It's such a shame that I believe this wont be eligible for the Oscars.

The first half is really funny, especially Rob Lowe - he had us laughing every frame he was on screen.

The second half was much more poignant and heartfelt and maybe a touch too long, but not by much and it was nice to care so much for the characters - not something I've done in recent Soderbergh films.

Overall a very good movie and certainly a breath of fresh air after a month of Big Weddings, Moth Diaries, 21 and Overs etc

[McG]

Saw this in Glasgow along with the other Fmukers in the back row, Yinster, teddybear1, deb1, ploggit & William.
I have to say that I do remember seeing Liberace on tv and how flamboyant he was . . . outrageously "sparkly" but loved by so many but . . . .if the film is to be believed, not a very nice man! I do temper that comment with the fact that the film is based on the book by Scott Thorson so may be a biased view!
I thought that Michael Douglas was outstanding in the role and definitely captured the personality of Liberace to a tee. Matt Damon was also good but definitely did not appear to be anything like 18 years old . . . in fact, I would never have known that is the age he was meant to be until I read the comment by wavell.
Liberace appeared as a bully and manipulative man who "used" young men until he found the next one which never seemed to take long! I certainly wasn't aware of all his private life story until almost the end of his life probably because we didn't have all the Hello or OK magazines. The only thing which was important was his talent as a pianist and showman.
Overall I enjoyed the film as did my friends.
Marks 7.5/10

[Lindseytonge]

Wasn't too sure on this film when I first seen the preview... But excellent film! Michael and Matt are brilliant! And quite a funny film! Worth a watch! 9/10

[karenlg123]

I really quite enjoyed this movie. Started of funny and it did lose the humour as the movie went on tho which was a shame. Thought Douglas was great as Lee and Rob Lowe was fabulous. Deserving of a bigger role I thought. Didn't need to see quite such detail in the bedroom scenes, especially as I was with my 84 year old dad! He was not a big fan of the movie! As mentioned by others it did "drag" a bit in the second half and could have done with half an hour or so (of bedroom scenes) left on the cutting room floor. Just gave me the impression that Liberace was really just a dirty old man and Scott was nothing but one in a long line of opportunists. 6/10 from me. (Not even 1/10 from Daddy Bill)!

[David]

I thought this was brilliant and the best film I've seen so far this year: http://moviefilmreviews.co.uk/2013/05/3 ... andelabra/

[Celini]

Damn the prosthetics and make-up were good!
Everybody on screen was top notch; I am just very annoyed that the screenplay did not work for me as well as it seemed to have worked with most of you guys. Some really great bits but I found most of it to be quite flat and a tad boring

6.5/10
(hackney screen 1, I love you)

[Jenfa]

Brilliant acting from both Michael Douglas and Matt Damon - i don't think anyone else would of got away with playing such camp roles and some cringing scenes!