Opulent but often unpleasant

Rating: Null/10 (18 September 2013)

The movie opens in 1977 as Liberace (Michael Douglas) is starring in Las Vegas and seventeen year old Scott Thorson (Matt Damon) has just become his latest boy-toy. They carry on a passionate affair for five years before Lee's eye begins to wander again.
This is not a biography of Liberace, but rather the story of Lee and Scott's affair. The two stars are very good, although Douglas' Liberace wasn't quite as likable as I'd wished. The two make a dynamic duo and really hold one's attention. Rob Lowe has a funny role as a plastic surgeon with one too-many bad eye jobs. Debbie Reynolds has a few lines as Lee's mother. The sets and costumes are lavish and the whole movie glitters with a Vegas aura.
The movie is based on Scott Thorson's memoir, so, naturally, he comes out as the hero and victim while Liberace is the slimy predator. Much of the graphic storyline had me cringing in shock, but, still, I watched. I was a big fan of Liberace's old TV show and this film doesn't change that, but it did sadden me a bit.