A film about Liberace: Behind the Candelabra

[CaliforniaPeggy]

This is an HBO production; my husband and I just finished watching it.

Michael Douglas in the lead and Matt Damon as his much younger lover.

Wow. Never would I have expected Michael Douglas to have played such a role, but he did play it, and he did well. He was great, as was the whole cast.

The movie felt and looked authentic to the time, of gay men and their lifestyles.

Anyone else here see it?

[Aristus]

1. I saw it.

Great performances by Matt Damon and Michael Douglas.

The message seemed to be money can buy neither love nor happiness; and only a fool tries to buy either.

[CaliforniaPeggy]

3. How cool you saw it, my dear Aristus!

That did seem to be the message.

[scarletwoman]

2. Yes, I saw it when it first aired. Rather mind-blowing!

I grew up watching Liberace's TV show - I didn't have a clue about homosexuality back then as a little kid, I just thought he was really eccentric and colorful. My mother loved him, and she and my sister and I all thought he was cool because he was so outrageous.

I thought the movie was very well done, and the performances were superb.

And yes, the movie felt very authentic for the time. And Debbie Reynolds playing Liberace's mother was fabulous!

[CaliforniaPeggy]

4. I hadn't realized that was Debbie Reynolds until we saw the credits!

I wish I'd known that during the movie itself.

She was great!

[JustAnotherGen]

5. We watched it when it first aired

And yes - it was an amazing movie. I'm 40 so I only know Liberace as a punch line of over the top theatrics - but it caused me to learn a little bit about him. For all his wealth and fame - such a sad life.

[ProudToBeBlueInRhody]

6. Saw it

I thought the material was beneath the actors who did a great job. The script was like the old trashy movie of the weeks like Mommy Dearest and The Jayne Mansfield Story.

[valerief]

7. Not yet, but it's definitely on my list. nt

[Tuesday Afternoon]

8. Saw it.

Good performances all the way round. Kudos to the cast, set designers and costumers, also make-up.

[TexasBushwhacker]

9. Loved it n/t

[valerief]

10. Want to. Waiting for it to stream for rent on Netflix or Amazon Prime. nt

[MrMickeysMom]

11. Saw this once we got the premium channels on TV...

I was fascinated by the story of Liberace primarily because I remember him "behind the candelabra" as a kid watching television. I didn't immediately recognize Matt Damon.

Excellent portrayal to time and what surely must have been the culture. Sure seemed authentic to me, and I appreciate that in a movie like this.

Excellent, Peg.