Soderbergh seems most intent on normalizing homosexuality itself, and he does that by zooming straight out to the furthest reaches of stereotype and straining for the banal amongst the golden slippers and snarling houseboys

| Jul 2, 2021

Behind The Candelabra isn't Soderbergh's flashiest movie, he plays things very 'straight' visually. There are few cinematic flourishes- he knows that the performances are the focus here and he stands back and shoots things so that you are drawn in.

| Original Score: 4/5 | Mar 17, 2021

There is not much in Behind the Candelabra that explains Liberace's immense appeal to wide sections of the population, including Soderbergh himself.

| Feb 28, 2021

The grotesquely gripping performances of Douglas and Damon are wonders to behold here.

| Original Score: 3.5/5 | Jun 26, 2020

Refreshingly frank and undoubtedly entertaining, it doesn't even matter that it follows the general rhythm of many a biopic, as it features two fascinating and unforgettable lead performances.

| Aug 20, 2019

With Liberace, Michael Douglas straddles the fine line between honouring the obvious effete persona of the famous pianist, without caricaturing him.

| Original Score: 3/5 | Mar 16, 2019

Although Behind the Candelabra may be Soderbergh's swan song, it's an uncanny resurrection of the creature that was Liberace.

| Feb 22, 2019

Yes. It is fabulous. No other word for it, unless that word is "glorious."

| Sep 5, 2018

Certainly an interesting film well played and a cautionary tale for those seeking fame and fortune or it's off cuts.

| Aug 22, 2018

Douglas brings a preening, nervous energy to a performance that may well prove to be the best of his career...

| Apr 4, 2018

... a saga that somehow manages to synthesize a satisfyingly salacious showbiz tell-all, a decidedly toxic gay romance, and a cautionary parable about the possibilities and limitations of the flesh.

| Oct 31, 2017

Behind The Candelabra doesn't end happily and doesn't always hold our attention but it's a fascinating reminder of an extraordinary, larger-than-life character who seems recent but who, without this, would already be fast disappearing from memory.

| Original Score: 3/5 | Oct 31, 2017

Light but not slight, it is ultimately tender and sensationally acted, with both stars giving career-topping turns.

| Original Score: 4/5 | Sep 5, 2017

If his private fishbowl was constricting, Liberace countered it by the magnificence of his stage persona, the showmanship outweighing the secrecy.

| Original Score: B+ | Aug 18, 2017

As deeply entertaining and creative as it is socially enlightening.

| Jun 27, 2014

Douglas seems to be having fun playing such a flaming swishy character and hams it up.

| Original Score: B | Feb 11, 2014

Douglas made his name playing powerful, morally questionable men, and this is a clever addition to the canon.

| Original Score: 4/5 | Sep 26, 2013

Michael Douglas transforms himself into the Las Vegas entertainer with style and, most of all, believability. Liberace was larger-than-life to say the least, and it would be easy to go the SNL route with a character by painting him with broad strokes.

| Original Score: A- | Sep 25, 2013

Soderbergh and LaGravenese go deep beneath this voyeuristic fascination with wealth, fame, and the secret lives of celebrities.

| Original Score: 4/5 | Sep 18, 2013

One of [Soderbergh's] strengths is in the way he subverts traditional narratives and finds interesting moments that other directors wouldn't think twice about.

| Original Score: B | Sep 5, 2013