Behind the Candelabra

"Too much of a good thing is wonderful."

2013 1h 58m EN

👍

6.6

SOLID

🔥

94%

CERTIFIED FRESH

⭐

IMDB

★6.6TMDB · 852🍅94%Rotten Tomatoes★7IMDB · 47,718

DramaRomance

Synopsis

Spoiler shield

Based on the autobiographical novel, the tempestuous 6-year relationship between Liberace and his (much younger) lover, Scott Thorson, is recounted.

“Too much of a good thing is wonderful.”

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Where to watch · US

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Cast

Michael Douglas
Liberace
Matt Damon
Scott Thorson
Dan Aykroyd
Seymour Heller
Scott Bakula
Bob Black
Rob Lowe
Dr. Jack Startz
Tom Papa
Ray Arnett
Paul Reiser
Mr. Felder
Bruce Ramsay
Carlucci

Credits

Behind the camera

Director: Steven Soderbergh
Writers: Richard LaGravenese
Languages: English
Countries: United States of America

Want more? Switch to Cinephile mode in the header for DP, composer, budget, box office, production companies, keywords, and release history.

Did you know?

Fun facts 🍿

1 / 8

MONEY

Did you know

Earned back only 68% of its budget on initial theatrical — a commercial disappointment on release.

MoodPlayr · trivia#01

2 / 8

ERA

Did you know

Released 13 years ago.

MoodPlayr · trivia#02

3 / 8

DIRECTOR

Did you know

Directed by Steven Soderbergh, shot by Steven Soderbergh. Note their partnership — DPs and directors often return to each other across a career.

MoodPlayr · trivia#03

4 / 8

DIRECTOR

Did you know

Original score by Marvin Hamlisch. Worth a dedicated listen after — most great films lose half their impact without the score.

MoodPlayr · trivia#04

5 / 8

DIRECTOR

Did you know

Editor Steven Soderbergh shaped the rhythm. On an edit-heavy film, the editor does more to control your pulse than the director.

MoodPlayr · trivia#05

6 / 8

CAST

Did you know

Michael Douglas and Matt Damon and Dan Aykroyd carry the top of the cast.

MoodPlayr · trivia#06

7 / 8

AWARDS

Did you know

Marketing tagline: "Too much of a good thing is wonderful.".

MoodPlayr · trivia#07

8 / 8

WILD

Did you know

IMDB entry: tt1291580 — still the authoritative cross-reference for credits and trivia.

MoodPlayr · trivia#08

Cinephile deep dive

The take

Steven Soderbergh directs. Steven Soderbergh behind the camera. Marvin Hamlisch scores. Steven Soderbergh cuts. A commercial under-performer on release. Produced in United States of America. Dialogue in English.

Trivia

Things worth knowing

1Earned back only 68% of its budget on initial theatrical — a commercial disappointment on release.
2Released 13 years ago.
3Directed by Steven Soderbergh, shot by Steven Soderbergh. Note their partnership — DPs and directors often return to each other across a career.
4Original score by Marvin Hamlisch. Worth a dedicated listen after — most great films lose half their impact without the score.
5Editor Steven Soderbergh shaped the rhythm. On an edit-heavy film, the editor does more to control your pulse than the director.
6Michael Douglas and Matt Damon and Dan Aykroyd carry the top of the cast.
7Marketing tagline: "Too much of a good thing is wonderful.".
8IMDB entry: tt1291580 — still the authoritative cross-reference for credits and trivia.
9Classified under 8 themes, including "based on novel or book", "based on true story", "celebrity", "in the closet".

The technical file

Cinematography: Steven Soderbergh
Original score: Marvin Hamlisch
Editing: Steven Soderbergh
Production design: Howard Cummings
Costume design: Ellen Mirojnick
Makeup / hair: Kate Biscoe
Sound: Larry Blake
Runtime: 118 min · 1h 58m
Aspect ratio (typical): 1.37:1 (Academy)
Status: Released
Budget: $23,000,000
Box office: $15,600,000
Return: 68% of budget
Original language: EN
Certification (US): R
IMDB: Behind the Candelabra (2013)
Rotten Tomatoes: 94% 🍅 Fresh
IMDB rating: 7/10 · 47,718 votes
MPAA: TV-MA

Awards

Won 11 Primetime Emmys. 45 wins & 54 nominations total

Also by

Steven Soderbergh

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Trailers & featurettes

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Community reviews

What people are saying

r96sk2020-08-11
★ 8/10
Terrific. First and foremost, I have to admit I knew nothing about Liberace - other than his name - before viewing this, therefore I don't know how much of it is accurate, made-up, exaggerated etc. That didn't stop me enjoying it, though. Michael Douglas (Liberace) and Matt Damon (Scott) do do a lot of the heavy lifting, both of them give tremendous performances - especially Douglas. They actually worked very well together, perfect casting. I found Rob Lowe amusing in this, not sure if I was supposed to but I did - not in a negative way in regards to Lowe, just the character of Dr. Jack Startz. Debbie Reynolds (Frances) and Dan Aykroyd (Seymour) also appear, two well-known people playing relatively small roles. The film looks great, it perhaps lasts a little too long when all is said and done but it didn't hamper my enjoyment all that much. <em>'Behind the Candelabra'</em> is a very good biopic.

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