Delayed Reaction: Behind the Candelabra

The Pitch: Maybe if we get a film into Cannes, critics will stop saying HBO original movies aren't good anymore.

I don't normally start with this, but whoever did the makeup for this deserves every award. Good god. I was physically uncomfortable when Rob Lowe showed up on screen, and this film takes a darkly comedic look at plastic surgery. Michael Douglas and Matt Damon play Liberace and his longtime boyfriend Scott Thorson as authentically as anyone could. Liberace is such a showman at all times, that it's only natural that it seems like Douglas is always playing a part in this. Similarly, given Scott's situation, it makes sense how often Damon acts like an actor looking for direction. It's a tricky balance, because that could easily bleed into camp, and it doesn't. The story felt a little familiar, although making Scott the POV character rather than Liberace was a good touch. I think I would've preferred a slightly deeper dive into Liberace's public closeting.

I don't know what context to put the movie in to rate it. For an HBO Original Movie, it's a cut above what they've been making for the last decade. For a film that competed at Cannes, it's formally traditional. I think Steven Soderbergh is one of the most interesting working directors*. Before his post-Candelabra "hiatus", it's hard to find anyone who worked hard and as often as Soderbergh in as many genres.

*That is, whenever he isn't claiming to be retired. Shortly after Side Effects and Behind the Candelabra, he said he was retired from filmmaking. He spent that retirement directing the TV series The Knick, helping production of Her, and executive producing the Girlfriend Experience TV series. Oh, and he directed a film coming out this year. In other words, I'll believe these retirement claims when I see them.

Verdict (?): Weakly Recommend