Behind the Candelabra
Seen it?2013 | 118 min | Drama, Romance
Friday Night FlickWhy it’s a Friday Night Flick
Critics loved it (94% on Rotten Tomatoes) and it won 11 Emmys. Make plans for this one.
Based on critics, audiences, awards, box office and buzz. Details below.Is it for you?
- Who'll love it
- Made for romantics. If you loved Maurice, start here. Critics rate it higher than audiences do, so it rewards patience more than it chases thrills.
- The mood
- Warm and romantic.
- The pace
- Takes its time with its characters, at 1 hr 58 min.
- What might put you off
- Rated R: meant for adults.
- Audiences were cooler on it than critics.
Based on the autobiographical novel, the tempestuous 6-year relationship between Liberace and his (much younger) lover, Scott Thorson, is recounted.
How it earned its rating
- CriticsVery strong
94% on Rotten Tomatoes, 83 on Metacritic
- AudiencesSolid
6.6 out of 10
- AwardsVery strong
Won 3 Emmys: Primetime Emmy Awards: Outstanding Miniseries or Movie, Primetime Emmy Awards: Outstanding Lead Actor in a Miniseries or Movie, Primetime Emmy Awards: Outstanding Directing for a Miniseries, Movie or Dramatic Special. Won 2 Golden Globes: Golden Globe Awards: Best Miniseries or Television Film, Golden Globe Awards: Best Actor – Miniseries or Television Film. Won 1 SAG Award: Screen Actors Guild Awards: Outstanding Performance by a Male Actor in a Television Movie or Miniseries. Won 2 Critics' Choice Awards: Critics' Choice Television Awards: Best Movie/Miniseries, Critics' Choice Television Awards: Best Actor in a Movie/Miniseries. Won 2 DGA Awards: Art Directors Guild Awards: Excellence in Production Design Award – Television Movie or Mini-Series, Directors Guild of America Awards: Outstanding Directorial Achievement in Movies for Television and Miniseries. Won 1 PGA Award: Producers Guild of America Awards: David L. Wolper Award for Outstanding Producer of Long-Form Television. Also nominated for 2 more Emmys, 1 more Golden Globe and 5 BAFTAs. Plus 20 other awards.
- Box office & staying powerBelow par
$16 million worldwide on a $23 million budget; still draws a steady audience long after release
- Buzz & cultural impactSolid
About 161K people sought it out in the past year
Trailer
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Cast & crew
Directed by Steven Soderbergh
- Michael DouglasLiberace
- Matt DamonScott Thorson
- Dan AykroydSeymour Heller
- Scott BakulaBob Black
- Rob LoweDr. Jack Startz
- Tom PapaRay Arnett
- Paul ReiserMr. Felder
- Bruce RamsayCarlucci
- Nicky KattMr. Y
- Cheyenne JacksonBilly Leatherwood