Behind the Candelabra 2013

Romance

Drama

Rank

#2,576

Box Office

$13M

Runtime

118 mins

Language

English

Directed by

Steven Soderbergh

Made by

Jerry Weintraub Productions

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Behind the Candelabra Plot Summary

Read the complete plot summary and ending explained for Behind the Candelabra (2013). From turning points to emotional moments, uncover what really happened and why it matters.

In 1977, 18-year-old Scott Thorson, Matt Damon, an animal trainer working on a movie set, crosses paths with Bob Black, Scott Bakula, a Hollywood producer, in a Los Angeles gay bar. At Black’s urging, Scott leaves his foster home and the care of Joe and Rose, and begins a search for better-paying work. Joe and Rose are portrayed by Garrett M. Brown and Jane Morris, and their quiet, stable world is quickly upended by the glamorous pull of fame and fortune.

Black takes Scott to Las Vegas where they witness a live Liberace performance, and then to the backstage dressing room of the legendary pianist, who immediately takes a shine to the young newcomer. Liberace, played by Michael Douglas, invites them to his lavish home, and Scott—drawing on his veterinary background—tends to a sick dog and begins to serve as Liberace’s “assistant” at the pianist’s request. The arrangement deepens rapidly: Scott moves in, becomes Liberace’s lover, and even joins the act, chauffeuring him to the stage in a Rolls-Royce as part of the show’s spectacle.

Behind the scenes, tensions simmer. Billy Leatherwood, Cheyenne Jackson, a fellow performer, is cut from the act and departs after a sizable payout. As Scott and Liberace’s bond grows, Scott reveals a bisexual streak, explaining that he is also drawn to women. Liberace, portrayed with a complex mix of warmth and control, shares stories of a “divine healing” and a near-death experience that he says reinforced God’s love for him, a narrative crafted to shield their relationship from public scrutiny.

Yet cracks begin to appear. A looming sense of manipulation colors Liberace’s grand gestures: he consults his long-time manager, Seymour Heller, Dan Aykroyd, who guards the entertainer’s carefully curated image and suppresses the truth of Lee’s (Liberace’s) sexuality. A truth-seeking dynamic emerges as Carlucci, Liberace’s live-in helper, Bruce Ramsey, warns of an eventual break, while Dr. Jack Startz, Rob Lowe, a plastic surgeon, is enlisted to keep the illusion of youth intact. Liberace even experiments with a plan to adopt Scott, a notion that would have been unthinkable in that era.

As the years pass, Liberace’s obsession deepens: he undergoes a dramatic facelift to appear younger, and he begins pressuring Scott to resemble him more closely. The relationship strains under the weight of fame, wealth, isolation, and addiction. Scott spirals into drug use, feeling increasingly controlled and used, while Liberace’s public persona remains a carefully guarded mask.

Tragedy strikes with Liberace’s mother’s death in 1980, an event that Scott notes with a sense of dissonance as Liberace’s grief feels pointedly selective. In 1981, the couple’s rift widens—Scott’s drug use escalates and Liberace’s sexual indiscretions with younger men intensify, pulling them further apart. The tension peaks when Liberace courts other relationships, and Scott is drawn into a cycle of withdrawal and anger that culminates in his eviction by Seymour and security, who urge him to sever ties.

A formal palimony suit follows in 1984, with Scott seeking more than $100 million in property rights. Liberace denies a sexual relationship and any gifts beyond a few rings and cars, and his lawyer secures a settlement drawn tightly around silence and financial compensation. The case reveals the couple’s story to the public only in fragments, with Scott’s testimony detailing their five-year romance while Liberace denies it.

The years advance toward a bitter denouement. A trip to a bookstore reveals a personal photograph book about Liberace’s life, while headlines turn toward Rock Hudson’s AIDS-related death, signaling a broader social reckoning. Christmas 1986 finds Scott visiting a frail Liberace in Palm Springs; Liberace, now gravely ill with AIDS, thanks him for coming and hands him a final gold ring as a reminder, pleading that Scott never expose his private life to the world. He asks Scott to remember him not just as a flamboyant showman, but as a man who faced his truth.

Liberace dies on February 4, 1987, a death that public scrutiny soon confirms as AIDS-related. At the Los Angeles funeral, Scott wrestles with memory and mortality, imagining one last stage moment in which Liberace performs before being carried to heaven by a stage harness. The film closes on the weight of a life spent navigating love, fame, secrecy, and the enduring question of what it means to be true to oneself in a world that prizes appearances above all.

Behind the Candelabra Timeline

Follow the complete movie timeline of Behind the Candelabra (2013) with every major event in chronological order. Great for understanding complex plots and story progression.

Scott meets Bob Black and leaves his foster home

Scott Thorson, an 18-year-old animal trainer, meets Hollywood producer Bob Black in a Los Angeles gay bar. At Black's urging, he leaves his adopted home and foster parents in search of better-paying work. This marks the start of his entry into a world of show business and Liberace's orbit.

1977 Los Angeles

Trip to Las Vegas to see Liberace

Black takes Scott to Las Vegas to see Liberace perform live. They become intrigued by the pianist's flamboyant persona and wealth. This visit sets the stage for their eventual involvement with Liberace.

1977 Las Vegas

Backstage meeting and Liberace's invitation

After the show, Black takes Scott backstage where Liberace takes an immediate liking to him. Liberace invites the two men into his luxurious Las Vegas home. Scott uses his veterinary background to help treat a sight-impaired dog, earning the pianist's trust.

1977 Las Vegas

Scott becomes Liberace's assistant and lover

Scott moves in with Liberace and becomes part of his act, even driving a Rolls-Royce onstage as the pianist's chauffeur. The relationship quickly becomes intimate as he joins Liberace in a romance. The dynamic centers on control and performance.

1977 Las Vegas

Billy Leatherwood is cut from the act

Billy Leatherwood is removed from Liberace's stage act and leaves town after a large payout from Liberace's management. The move signals Liberace's willingness to reshape his circle. It also foreshadows the precariousness of Scott's own standing.

1977 Las Vegas

Scott confesses bisexuality; Liberace shares a divine healing story

After another night together, Scott confides that he is bisexual and attracted to women as well. Liberace is supportive, revealing his own history of being drawn to men. He recounts a 'divine healing' moment from 1963 involving a near-death experience and a message that God still loved him.

1978 Las Vegas

Plastic surgery plans and adoption attempt

In 1979, Liberace has his face altered with a facelift and asks his surgeon to help make Scott resemble him. He also makes an unsuccessful attempt to formally adopt Scott, underscoring his desire to control both their images. The power imbalance deepens as Scott becomes more entangled in Liberace's world.

1979 Las Vegas

Liberace's mother's death and funeral

In 1980, Liberace's mother dies, and Liberace holds the funeral with minimal outward display of grief. Scott observes the absence of genuine mourning and feels a sense of relief or release. The moment marks a turning point in their relationship.

1980 Las Vegas

Drugs and increased secrecy strain the relationship

From 1981, Scott's drug use escalates alongside Liberace's growing promiscuity toward younger men. The couple's mounting secrecy and jealousy begin to erode trust. Scott's anger grows as Liberace tries to keep their romance hidden from the public.

1981 Las Vegas

Cary James joins and Scott's anger resurfaces

In 1982, Liberace suggests they see other people and hires Cary James as his new 'personal assistant.' Scott becomes cold and withdrawn, especially after returning from his foster mother's funeral. The relationship fractures as the power dynamic shifts.

1982 Las Vegas

Scott is expelled and finds support with Bob Black

After another heated confrontation, Scott is thrown out with his belongings in plastic bags and told never to contact Liberace again. He moves in with Bob Black, who urges him to pursue a palimony claim. The breakup marks the end of their intense coexistence.

1982-1983 Las Vegas

Palimony lawsuit and Liberace's denial

In 1984, Scott hires an attorney to seek his share of Liberace's wealth in a palimony suit. Liberace denies the sexual relationship and offers a modest settlement with cash, cars, dogs, and a house. Scott accepts the deal to avoid further legal costs and the uncertainty of court.

1984 Los Angeles

Discovery of Liberace's private life and AIDS headlines

While working as a post office clerk, Scott encounters a book about Liberace and later sees a 1985 newspaper front page announcing Rock Hudson's AIDS death. The contrast between Liberace's private life and public perception becomes clearer. He grapples with whether to reveal or keep silent about his past relationship.

1985 Los Angeles

Liberace's deathbed call and gift

On Christmas Day in 1986, Liberace phones Scott from Palm Springs, announcing he is dying of AIDS and asking him to visit. The pianist gives Scott one of his gold rings as a keepsake and asks him not to reveal their relationship. The moment crystallizes the secrecy that had defined their years together.

1986 Palm Springs

Liberace dies and funeral

On February 4, 1987, Liberace dies after a long illness. Scott attends the funeral in Los Angeles and imagines Liberace performing once more on stage before ascending to heaven. The film closes on a memory of his flamboyant, show-stopping legacy.

1987 Los Angeles

Behind the Candelabra Characters

Explore all characters from Behind the Candelabra (2013). Get detailed profiles with their roles, arcs, and key relationships explained.

Scott Thorson (Matt Damon)

An 18-year-old animal trainer who becomes Liberace's lover and live-in assistant. He leaves his foster home seeking better opportunities, and his bisexuality becomes a source of both connection and conflict. As the relationship evolves, his dependence grows amid pressure, drugs, and a struggle for autonomy within Liberace's controlling world.

💔 Romantic entanglement 🧭 Identity 🧪 Addiction

Liberace (Michael Douglas)

A legendary pianist whose flamboyant public persona masks a fear of public disclosure about his sexuality. He lavishes attention and power on Scott, while orchestrating a carefully curated life that hides the truth. His desire to remain youthful and in control drives cosmetic procedures and a rigid separation between private life and stage persona.

🎛️ Celebrity power 🧩 Secret life 💎 Glamour

Seymour Heller (Dan Aykroyd)

Liberace's longtime manager, fiercely loyal and protective of the artist's image. He disapproves of Scott and works to shield Liberace from public scrutiny, prioritizing the entertainer's career over personal transparency. His decisions influence how liberally the relationship is allowed to unfold and later how the truth is handled.

🧭 Loyalty 🧱 Image protection 🧨 Conflict

Bob Black (Scott Bakula)

A Hollywood producer who introduces Scott to Liberace and becomes a catalyst for the affair. He acts as an ally and adviser, encouraging Scott to pursue opportunities while navigating the complicated dynamics of fame and romance. His involvement helps propel the pair into the spotlight and the subsequent legal battles.

💼 Industry 🧭 Alliance 🎢 Drama

Dr. Jack Startz (Rob Lowe)

Liberace's plastic surgeon, whose professional services reflect the entertainer's obsession with youth and appearance. He performs procedures at Liberace's request and plays a part in shaping both the artist's and Scott's physical likenesses to suit public perception. The character embodies the era's cosmetic culture and the lengths taken to maintain a flawless image.

🧰 Medicine 🪞 Appearance 🧬 Transformation

Cary James (Boyd Holbrook)

A dancer in Liberace's show who is recruited as a personal assistant. His presence signals Liberace's pattern of surrounding himself with younger partners. Cary's inclusion marks another shift in the relationship dynamic as Liberace seeks a new anchor while Scott's influence wanes.

🎭 Showbiz 👥 Recruitment 🧭 Change

Billy Leatherwood (Cheyenne Jackson)

A fellow performer who is briefly part of the backstage world, removed from the act as Liberace reshuffles his inner circle. His departure illustrates Liberace's pattern of replacing intimate connections with fresh faces to sustain the public image. The episode foreshadows the instability of the relationship.

🎬 Backstage 🔄 Replacement 🌟 Showbiz

Carlucci (Bruce Ramsay)

Liberace's live-in 'houseboy' whose disapproval of Scott foreshadows the power dynamics at play in Liberace's private life. Carlucci represents the surveillance and control mechanisms surrounding Liberace's household, highlighting how personal boundaries are monitored and enforced.

🏠 Watchful 🛡️ Control 🕴️ Service

Mr. Felder (Paul Reiser)

Scott's attorney who becomes involved in the palimony pursuit. His involvement signals the shift from private romance to legal confrontation, as Scott seeks his rightful share. The courtroom arc demonstrates the clash between love, money, and legal standing in a protected celebrity world.

⚖️ Legal 💼 Settlement 📜 Contracts

Adoption Attorney (David Koechner)

A legal figure involved in the attempt to formalize a relationship, reflecting the era's social and legal boundaries around same-sex partnerships. The character adds a procedural dimension to Liberace and Scott's life, illustrating the obstacles faced when public relationships intersect with law.

⚖️ Law 🗂️ Contracts 🏛️ Institutions

Behind the Candelabra Settings

Learn where and when Behind the Candelabra (2013) takes place. Explore the film’s settings, era, and how they shape the narrative.

Time period

Late 1970s to 1987

The narrative spans roughly a decade, beginning in 1977 when Thorson enters Liberace's orbit and continuing through the late 1980s. It covers Liberace's peak fame, the couple's private entanglements, and the eventual public exposure of their relationship. Key events occur in 1979, 1980, 1981-82, 1984, 1986 and 1987, culminating in Liberace's death.

Location

Los Angeles, Las Vegas, Palm Springs

The story moves through Los Angeles, Las Vegas and Palm Springs, reflecting a glittering showbiz world and a private, sun-soaked retreat. Los Angeles provides the initial meeting and industry backdrop, while Las Vegas hosts Liberace's opulent performances and private life. Palm Springs serves as the final, quiet landscape where Liberace's illness and the relationship's end unfold.

🎭 Showbiz 🏜 Desert Glam 🏙 City Life

Behind the Candelabra Themes

Discover the main themes in Behind the Candelabra (2013). Analyze the deeper meanings, emotional layers, and social commentary behind the film.

🗝️

Power & Control

Liberace exercises intense control over Scott's life, using money, status and secrecy to shape his image and keep their relationship hidden. The dynamic shows how a powerful celebrity can manipulate a younger partner and isolate them from the outside world. The palimony lawsuit later exposes the tension between affection and exploitation within their bond.

🎭

Showbiz & Image

The film centers on how fame demands a polished public image, often at the cost of truth. Liberace's management guards the narrative to protect his career, while Scott becomes a tool in maintaining that illusion. The backstage world contrasts with the public performances, highlighting the performative nature of celebrity life.

🪞

Identity & Truth

The relationship forces questions about authentic selves versus constructed personas. Scott grapples with his sexuality and dependence within a system that seeks to redefine him. The film traces the cost of living a lie for the sake of appearances and personal survival.

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Behind the Candelabra Spoiler-Free Summary

Discover the spoiler-free summary of Behind the Candelabra (2013). Get a concise overview without any spoilers.

In the glittering seascape of 1970s Las Vegas, a world of sequins, grand pianos and endless applause frames the story of an iconic entertainer whose very name evokes excess and showmanship. His lavish performances, drenched in color and charisma, dominate the neon‑lit stages, while behind the curtains a carefully crafted public image shields a more private reality. The film opens amid this dazzling spectacle, inviting the audience to feel the pulse of a city that thrives on illusion and sensation.

Scott Thorson, an earnest young man fresh from a modest background, steps into this luminous arena and soon finds himself drawn to the magnetic allure of the star. Their connection blossoms into a passionate, if complicated, partnership that tests the boundaries of fame, desire, and self‑definition. Through their eyes we glimpse the intoxicating blend of admiration and vulnerability that fuels a relationship living under the constant glare of spotlights and the weight of secrecy.

Surrounding them are the loyal yet protective figures who manage the entertainer’s empire—agents, confidants, and longtime collaborators—each intent on preserving the dazzling façade. Their subtle interventions and unspoken expectations shape the couple’s journey, hinting at the delicate balance between artistic brilliance and personal intimacy. The tone oscillates between sumptuous decadence and a quiet, undercurrent of yearning, suggesting that behind every flamboyant gesture lies a deeper, unspoken struggle.

The film paints a portrait of love and ambition set against the backdrop of Hollywood’s golden excess, where the desire to be seen clashes with the fear of exposure. It beckons viewers to wonder how far two people will go to protect their truths while navigating a world that rewards spectacle above all else, leaving the audience eager to explore the nuanced dance of fame, devotion, and the secrets kept in the shadows of the spotlight.