In a January 2013 interview with the New York Post, director Steven Soderbergh said that the film was originally intended for theatrical release, but was ultimately produced by and aired on HBO instead because the story was seen as "too gay" by all of the major Hollywood studios: "Nobody would make it, we went to everybody in town. They all said it was too gay. And this is after Brokeback Mountain, by the way, which is not as funny as this movie. I was stunned. It made no sense to any of us." Despite this, the film was selected to compete for the Palme d'Or at the 2013 Cannes Film Festival, where it received its worldwide premiere. It was also theatrically released in Europe and the rest of the world.
He and Matt took such a risk with this movie. It could have tilted over into a cheesy groaner, but DID NOT. They were obviously working with very, very smart people. Not to mention, I just love Michael's speech, hilarious! Major props.
+Salice McCool Douglas and Damon were both brilliant in it.Love how Douglas shares his award so generously by mentioning the key players in the film project. And, at the end, he thanks Lee, who inspired the film. Classy.
+Marilyn Jess Michael Douglas is a class act! My veterinarian's daughter was married in the Bahamas, and part of the three-day shebang was a golfing outing. As everyone was arriving, there was a sudden cloudburst, so they all ran into the bar/lounge to wait it out. My vet and his wife were at a table for four; the place was packed, and a man very politely asked if they'd mind if he and his wife joined them - it was MD, and Catherine Zeta-Jones. R. said that she was sort of aloof, but they had a >great< time talking to Michael. He asked R. many questions about his work, and he and his wife realized later that they'd discussed many topics, but MD never talked about himself - and by this I mean that they picked up zero ego from him.
Salice McCool I actually just finished watching the movie and both of them knocked it so far out of the park it's ridiculous. the two of them had incredible performances and Michael Douglas as Liberace was arguably the greatest performance ever.
American businessmen know how to make an old anxious alcoholic maniac from a brilliant workaholic, a virtuoso pianist. It is good that he himself did not see this movie.
Michael Douglas did a terrific job in portraying Liberace, as well Matt Damon's portrayal of Scott Thorson. Had Damon not been up against against Douglas he would have won.
American businessmen know how to make an old anxious alcoholic maniac from a brilliant workaholic, a virtuoso pianist. It is good that he himself did not see this movie.
I wondered at the time why his name wasn't submitted for Best Supporting Actor, so the two wouldn't be up against each other in the same category. I'm not saying he had a lesser role, but this kind of thing - nomination politics, you might call it - is done fairly often.
Salice McCool I personally think he acted better in his role as Scott than Michael Douglas did as Liberace. I think Douglas did good but Matt Damon really became his character more imo.
+Soul Flower It could be that Douglas was rewarded for having taken the bigger risk in terms of his character. It could have gone very wrong, and ended up being farcical. But, personally, I kept waiting for Douglas's scenes.
Yes, they >were< fearless to have played gay men - Scott Bakula, who was shown twice here, as well. Hopefully someday soon no fear will be involved in doing so.
I think Michael deserved the award, but based on just their performances in this movie, I would say that Matt Damon deserved it more. Matt really carried the movie; his role as Thorson had all of the emotional intensity, all of the character development, all of the moving moments that really draw the audience in and make a movie real. I wish both could have won. But, as Matt has said so eloquently, it's not about the awards. The awards don't define good or bad performances. Either way, congrats to both Matt and Michael for making such an incredibly delicate, moving movie out of a topic that really could have gone the other way.
Right up there with the likes of DeNiro and Pacino....Basic Instinct, Fatal Attraction, Wall Street, Falling Down, The Game, Traffic, Wonder Boys, Romancing the Stone, Black Rain, Coma, The China Syndrome, The Star Chamber, and The Streets of San Francisco....WHAT A BODY OF WORK!
Give Michael Douglas great credit: he handled a biographical role that could have descended into caricature or parody and gave a credible performance as Liberace; he paid his respect to Matt Damon, his co-star and fellow nominee, he thanked Steven Soderbergh, the director and camera operator; he also thanked the screenwriter and Jerry Weintraub, the iconic producer who championed the project and had previously worked with Liberace, as well as Sinatra and Elvis; and he thanked Catherine Zeta-Jones, his wife and his children- a class act.
I so agree. He managed to "be" Liberace - whom I remember well from shows when I was a kid - without making him a comical figure, or hamming it up. A very fine line, and boy, did he walk it!!!
American businessmen know how to make an old anxious alcoholic maniac from a brilliant workaholic, a virtuoso pianist. It is good that he himself did not see this movie.
The only movie I saw with Matt Damon was Jason Bourne so I had no idea this dude was such a good actor. He was EXCELLENT in this role. Douglas was blah; his voice kept going in and out of character & I think they gave him the EMMY b/c he was brave to take on the role. Matt should have won but I respect those who feel otherwise :)
Denise Noles you've only seen Jason Bourne? not any other MD movie? or the first trilogy of Bourne films? the first 3 are great. Also Matt was good in The Martian and Good Will Hunting (MD, Ben Affleck, and Robin Williams won Oscars for that movie)
in my opinion, the star turn in the movie was by Matt Damon. Damon disappeared into the role of Thorson. Michael Douglas was always Douglas as Liberace.
agreed! One things for sure Kirk is envious that he never had the Hollywood Michael enjoyed.
3 года назад
Had "Behind the Candelabra" been released theatrically or even on Netflix (I know, this was a little before Netflix films became Oscar contending films) - Michael Douglas would have won his 2nd Best Actor Oscar.
This movie was not great it did not show all the good things Liberace did in his life the people he helped he helped and advised a young Elton John and gave him clothes and later in elton made nasty remarks about him Liberace. Did not act effeminate like Michael Douglas portrays him a much truer film is thevfilm called Liberace. Starring Victor. Garbar. Made a n Canada in 1988 shows how Lee. Wanted to marry Joanne del Rio and would have done only her father interfered and stopped the marriage
Movie was an absolute riot. The costumes, Liberace's entourage, the dialog, crazy scenes. The seriousness of Douglas' portrayal kept it from being a farce.
My two favorite Actors in the 80s and 90s have always been Harrison Ford & Michael Douglass. In this movie Michael and Matt did an excellent job. Matt knew how to wear them tight jeans 😁...lol
Michael Douglas did a great job portraying the flamboyant Liberace in this movie. I’ve only ever known if two men that were so controversial and lived flamboyant lifestyles. One was Liberace, and the other was Dr. Geoffrey Walter Edelsten. They are both dead now, but they sure did live unusual lives full of controversy until they died. Dr Edelsten was a multi-millionaire that kept getting married to much younger women and drove expensive cars, but died not that well off and was buried in a plain pine casket. Liberace lived a fancy life, travelled the world and did a few strange things by denying he was ever gay, yet did it all behind the back of the public and once sued a newspaper company for suggesting he was gay. Liberace won the court case and was awarded lots of money in damages, then it became apparent that he really was gay. They should have awarded two awards instead of one because Matt Damon also deserved one for portraying Scott Thorson in the movie.
American businessmen know how to make an old anxious alcoholic maniac from a brilliant workaholic, a virtuoso pianist. It is good that he himself did not see this movie.
I’m reading all of these comments below on how wonderful Mike’s gay jokes were........ but would you hypocrites say the same thing if someone from the right said those same jokes???!!! I think not!!! But you can all applaud your selves on how cute and understanding you are!!!! Sickening....
i dont know what 'too' gay is? im gay, i dont have a rainbow flag outside my house, im shit at buying clothes, yet I believe in equal rights for everyone.
To gay what an outrages statement. I'm pissing through my TENA lady while playing my mirrored piano which Liberace left me in his will LOL. It's a shame that Liberace legacy is being wiped out now that his home went foreclosure. It should of been preserved even the museum in Las Vegas with all its treasures is closed. Yet he left about $74 million WTF it's not right...... Michael Douglas was destined to play Lib with all the plastic surgery that he's had done over the years. Why is it too disgusting for straight people to watch like half of you have never had a dick in your mouth or up your ass? get real so called "straights".
What a shame that Hollywood chose to make this film about the life of a wonderful, sweet, kind hearted man, who had such a great talent. Liberace did not deserve this kind of thanks from Hollywood and the entertainment industry. Below the values he stood for and believing everything from a book, which is one sided. Very disappointed in these two actors for accepting these roles, how sad the human race has become for the sake of money. Liberace you were amazing in real life. Whose perfect anyway?
The movie was great without a doubt, I think all actors played such great cringe worthy parts. Michael knows all about plastic surgery so he had a head start well done HBO for bringing it to the screen.
I've watched this clip several times and I still get a kick out of it. Michael did a great job as Liberace. I saw tthe movie and loved it. Liberace would have been proud. Michael looks just like his father.I still laugh when Scott Bacula covered his face.The movie is too gay? Wht's too gay these days? Why not put it in the theaters with an nc-17 rating?
