What did you think of "Behind the Candelabra," HBO's blockbuster Liberace biopic based on ex-lover Scott Thorson's tell-all book? Michael and I watched it with bated breath and, all in all, both enjoyed it. Michael was slighted disappointed, said he felt like it would have been better -- or perhaps made more sense -- if there had been one (or two) tender moments between Lee and Scott during the "happy" period that showed there was a connection between them that was deeper than what Lee felt for the other guys who revolved in and out of his life. (We're led to believe that in the end, but he saw nothing but coldness and animosity.) I thought given the nature of their relationship, perhaps there weren't any beyond what was depicted. (How genuine and tender are you ever with someone you're basically having sex with for money?) For this reason, Michael began to not care much about either of them as it wore on. I, on the other hand, was pretty entranced by it all. My only quibble was that I didn't really believe that Scott was as wholesome and naive as Matt Damon portrayed him to be. I didn't read his book, and I guess it's possible that you turn really trashy after going through something like this, but for someone who wound up being a lifelong user, criminal and grifter of sorts -- with alleged ties to the mob and the Wonderland murders -- it didn't seem to jibe with the sweet and innocent Scott we met on screen. Great job by Michael Douglas and Rob Lowe -- and Damon for seeming far younger than he really is. And to the brilliant makeup and prosthetics crew, who could have saved "J. Edgar" from being a laughingstock had they worked on that one, too.
Would love to hear what you thought -- tell me in the comments!
"Behind the Candelabra: My Life With Liberace" has long been out of print. But it's now available as an e-book HERE.I've just added it to my summer reading list!