Not sure how accurate it is, but very entertaining

Rating: 8/10 (24 July 2013)

Left to my own devices I probably wouldn't have gone to see 'Behind the Candelabra': not being very familiar with Liberace's work (I think I only saw him once, in an episode of 'The Love Boat'!) I wasn't hugely interested in watching a biopic of him. But the film I'd originally booked (and paid) to see (James Franco's 'Kink') at the Sydney Film Festival was withdrawn, and this was shoved on in its place. And I'm glad it was - I think it was the best of the five films I saw at 2013's SFF. It's based on the memoirs of one of Liberace's boyfriends, but is even-handed, showing how both sides were to blame for the eventual breakdown of the relationship. How close to the real Liberace Michael Douglas' performance is I am not qualified to judge, but he creates a likable character, and Matt Damon as the boyfriend does well to maintain his dignity delivering lines whilst clad in sparkly posing pouches or very short dressing gowns. Two major Hollywood stars doing gay for pay - how times have changed!