Sublime Performances

Rating: 8/10 (1 September 2013)

Based on the autobiographical novel, the tempestuous 6-year relationship between Liberace and his much younger lover, Scott Thorson, is recounted. Scott, a young man raised in foster homes, is introduced to flamboyant entertainment giant Liberace and quickly finds himself in a romantic relationship with the legendary pianist. Swaddled in wealth and excess, Scott and Liberace have a long affair, one which Scott eventually begins to find suffocating. The life of a celebrity who only prefers other men at a time when being a homosexual was completely ridiculed at and it meant a complete destruction of one's career.
I didn't know about Liberace before watching the movie. He's highly talented and is a legend, but his taste in clothes and lifestyle is awful. Flashy and expensive to be sure, but seriously revolting. There's nudity and several suggestive moments, but these scenes are done well and its a shame that many will give this one a pass because of the subject matter. I'm a heterosexual guy and it didn't bother me. Its surprising that this story is from Thorson's autobiography because it apparently portrays Liberace as a very sympathetic character although he's a very nasty individual and saw his young lovers as pets, while Thorson's own character turns from a genuinely likable, naive young man to a greedy coke head. But, even so, we can't make judgements based purely on one man's word since Liberace wasn't around to refute his claims when the book came out. Betty White's statement makes one think that maybe Thorson's account of the events are probably true for the most part.
The acting is sublime with Michael Douglas finally taking a leap to genuine character roles and completely personifying Liberace. Though Scott isn't very interesting as a character, Matt Damon takes a masterful turn as the young lover. The makeup, special effects and cinematography takes years off his face and makes him look a lot younger than he is, but don't look for miracles and expect him to look like he's 20. Both Douglas and Damon should be applauded for taking on these roles. Their tender moments are unabashed and unapologetic. Dan Akyroyd is the fixer Seymour Heller, Rob Lowe as plastic surgeon Dr. Startz is just brilliant and Debbie Reynolds plays Liberace's creepy, controlling mother. For now, this is supposed to be the last directorial venture for Soderberg in feature films. Though it isn't completely captivating, it is quite competently made. The elaborate sets, the campy humor and the enigma of Liberace makes it worthwhile and the acting is a treat to behold.
8/10