Behind the Candelabra (2013)

Plot Summary

Scott Thorson, a young bisexual 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 that Scott eventually begins to find suffocating. Kept away from the outside world by his flashily effeminate yet deeply closeted partner, and submitting to extreme makeovers and even plastic surgery at the behest of his lover, Scott eventually rebels. When Liberace finds himself a new lover, Scott is tossed onto the street. He then seeks legal redress for what he feels he has lost. But throughout, the bond between the young man and the star never completely tears.

Notice: This text may contain spoilers.

Release Date

Also Known As (A.K.A.)

Certification

Sensitive content guide

Awards

BAFTA Awards (2014)

BAFTA Film Award 2014

Nominated

Best Adapted Screenplay

Richard LaGravenese

BAFTA Film Award 2014

Nominated

Best Production Design

Howard Cummings

BAFTA Film Award 2014

Nominated

Best Costume Design

Ellen Mirojnick

BAFTA Film Award 2014

Nominated

Best Make Up/Hair

Kate Biscoe Marie Larkin

Golden Globes, USA (2014)

Golden Globe 2014

Winner

Best Miniseries or Motion Picture Made for Television

Primetime Emmy Awards (2013)

Primetime Emmy 2013

Winner

Outstanding Casting for a Miniseries, Movie or a Special

Carmen Cuba

Primetime Emmy 2013

Winner

Outstanding Makeup for a Miniseries or a Movie (Non-Prosthetic)

Kate Biscoe Deborah Rutherford Deborah La Mia Denaver Christine Beveridge Todd Kleitsch

Primetime Emmy 2013

Nominated

Outstanding Cinematography for a Miniseries or Movie

Steven Soderbergh

Primetime Emmy 2013

Winner

Outstanding Art Direction for a Miniseries or Movie

Howard Cummings Patrick M. Sullivan Jr. Barbara Munch

Primetime Emmy 2013

Winner

Outstanding Prosthetic Makeup for a Series, Miniseries, Movie or a Special

Kate Biscoe Hiroshi Yada Jamie Kelman Stephen Kelley Christine Beveridge Todd Kleitsch Christien Tinsley

Primetime Emmy 2013

Winner

Outstanding Sound Mixing for a Miniseries or a Movie

Dennis Towns Larry Blake Thomas Vicari

Primetime Emmy 2013

Winner

Outstanding Single-Camera Picture Editing for a Miniseries or a Movie

Steven Soderbergh

Primetime Emmy 2013

Winner

Outstanding Costumes for a Miniseries, Movie or a Special

Ellen Mirojnick Robert Q. Mathews

Primetime Emmy 2013

Winner

Outstanding Directing for a Miniseries, Movie or a Dramatic Special

Steven Soderbergh

Primetime Emmy 2013

Nominated

Outstanding Writing for a Miniseries, Movie or a Dramatic Special

Richard LaGravenese

Primetime Emmy 2013

Winner

Outstanding Hairstyling for a Miniseries or a Movie

Marie Larkin Yvette Stone Kerrie Smith Kay Georgiou

Cannes Film Festival (2013)

Palme d'Or 2013

Nominated

Palme d'Or

Steven Soderbergh