This film is currently unavailable
Behind the Candelabra
Michael Douglas dazzles as the flamboyant virtuoso pianist Liberace in this fascinating biopic by Steven Soderbergh.
Director: Steven Soderbergh
Overview
Michael Douglas and Matt Damon bring to life the dazzling story of the flamboyant superstar Liberace and his one true love. By the summer of 1977 the classical pianist had achieved worldwide fame (of the level now reserved solely for pop stars) while keeping his sexuality hidden from view. But after meeting a handsome dog-trainer called Scott Thorson (Damon), he falls immediately in love.
With vivacious wit and heartfelt pathos, director Steven Soderbergh charts this tempestuous love affair, which had to be kept secret from the star’s adoring public. Despite originating as a TV miniseries (after major studios turned it down) Soderbergh’s glorious portrait of celebrity extravagance is as visually sumptuous as we’ve come to expect from the director, with every scene exuding a sense of gaudy glitz and uninhibited glamour. But while there is much to enjoy on the surface, underneath the gold lamé veneer lies a moving tale of passion and agony, brought to life by two extraordinary, transformative performances from Douglas and Damon.
Related
The Iron Claw The Iron Claw
Biopic 2023 132 mins Director: Sean Durkin
Zac Efron, Harris Dickinson and Jeremy Allen White lead this brilliant, bruising true story of wrestling glory and family tragedy.
Your Fat Friend Your Fat Friend
Biopic 2024 96 mins Director: Jeanie Finlay
A powerful and moving documentary exploring body image, diet culture and anti-fat bias through the life and work of Aubrey Gordon.
Angelheaded Hipster Angelheaded Hipster
Biopic 2023 99 mins Director: Ethan Silverman
Stomping documentary celebrating the revolutionary music of Glam Rock pioneer Marc Bolan and T. Rex, combining archive footage with new musical interpretations by renowned contemporary artists.
Fragments of Paradise Fragments of Paradise
Documentary 2023 98 mins Director: KD Davison
Intimate portrait of the life and career of the pioneering filmmaker, poet and critic, Jonas Mekas, assembled from thousands of hours of his personal film footage and letters.
Tina Tina
Documentary 2021 118 mins Director: Daniel Lindsay and T.J. Martin
Classic live footage and engaging interviews create a powerful film that celebrates icon Tina Turner's tumultuous career.
Stanley Kubrick A Life in Pictures Stanley Kubrick A Life in Pictures
Biopic 2001 136 mins Director: Jan Harlan
With comprehensive access to home movies and behind the scenes footage, this is the definitive insight into the life of Stanley Kubrick.
God's Own Country God's Own Country
Drama 2017 105 mins Director: Francis Lee
A troubled young sheep farmer falls for a hired hand in this stunning debut from Francis Lee.
Vita & Virginia Vita & Virginia
Biopic 2018 110 mins Director: Chanya Button
Gemma Arterton and Elizabeth Debicki relive a literary love affair, fiery and forbidden, with a remarkable legacy.
Giant Little Ones Giant Little Ones
Drama 2018 93 mins Director: Keith Behrman
The classic high-school coming-out story gets a smart revision in this sharply perceptive teen drama.
Summerland Summerland
Drama 2020 100 mins Director: Jessica Swale
Gemma Arterton stars in acclaimed theatre director Jessica Swale’s moving Second World War drama, as a woman rediscovering her ability to love.
Make Up Make Up
Drama 2019 86 mins Director: Claire Oakley
The debut feature from acclaimed short filmmaker Claire Oakley is a riveting psycho-sexual drama in which nothing is quite what it seems.
The Prince The Prince
Drama 2019 96 mins Director: Sebastián Muñoz
This powerful tale of love behind bars won the Queer Lion at the 2019 Venice Film Festival.
Ryuichi Sakamoto: Opus Ryuichi Sakamoto: Opus
Documentary 2023 103 mins Director: Neo Sora
This moving tribute to the late composer and musician speaks volumes about his enormous talent, pioneering work and dedication to his craft.
Our Mothers Our Mothers
Drama 2019 77 mins Director: César Díaz
As Guatemala confronts its violent past, a forensic anthropologist is tasked with identifying the dead, in this affecting Cannes prize-winning drama.
Red Herring Red Herring
Documentary 2023 94 mins Director: Kitson Vincent
Following his terminal diagnosis, young filmmaker Kit Vincent sets out to document an intimate and darkly humorous journey in this BIFA nominated documentary.
Robot Dreams Robot Dreams
Animation & Artists Moving Image 2023 103 mins Director: Pablo Berger
Spanish director Pablo Berger delivers a rich and emotionally engaging dialogue-free animation about friendship, set in a bustling 1980s New York City.
Stephen Stephen
Drama-documentary 2023 78 mins Director: Melanie Manchot
Artist Melanie Manchot’s debut feature is a visually striking film-within-a-film, exploring mental health and addiction.
Red Island Red Island
Drama 2023 117 mins Director: Robin Campillo
French writer-director Robin Campillo offers a searching exploration of memory and politics, in this boldly conceived story of boyhood in 1970s Madagascar.