The sex life of an aging Liberace...why did anyone wish to explore this?

Rating: 4/10 (2 June 2014)

Absolutely atrocious cable-film which garnered critical praise, awards and--most importantly--high ratings upon its debut on HBO. Michael Douglas never begins to suggest piano-playing showman Liberace in this adaptation of Scott Thorson's book, despite the costumes and make-up and wigs; this was something of a comeback for Douglas after a real-life bout with cancer, but there's nothing here for the actor to play (it's all externals). Matt Damon does a bit better in the role of Thorson, Liberace's sneaky, snarky young lover, but the surrounding milieu, the show-biz razzle-dazzle and atmospherics fail to come off. A major disappointment from the estimable Steven Soderbergh, who certainly got no assistance from Richard LaGravenese's flimsy, turgid teleplay. Liberace deserved better, big numbers or not.