Behind the Candelabra

Behind the Candelabra

Year: 2013

Runtime: 118 mins

Language: English

Director: Steven Soderbergh

RomanceDrama

This film recounts the complex and ultimately turbulent six-year relationship between flamboyant entertainer Liberace and his much younger lover, Scott Thorson. Based on a memoir, the story explores the highs and lows of their romance, revealing both the indulgence and the struggles within their lives, and offering a glimpse into a hidden chapter of Hollywood history.

Behind the Candelabra (2013) – Spoiler-Free Movie Summary & Plot Overview

Get a spoiler-free look at Behind the Candelabra (2013) with a clear plot overview that covers the setting, main characters, and story premise—without revealing key twists or the ending. Perfect for deciding if this film is your next watch.

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.

Last Updated: August 28, 2025 at 18:53

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Discover curated groups of movies connected by mood, themes, and story style. Browse collections built around emotion, atmosphere, and narrative focus to easily find films that match what you feel like watching right now.

Movies with opulent melancholy like Behind the Candelabra

Stories where dazzling wealth and glamour conceal deep emotional isolation and sadness.If you liked the contrast of glittering wealth and deep sadness in Behind the Candelabra, explore more movies like it. This collection features similar dramatic stories where fame and fortune lead to emotional isolation, capturing that same bittersweet and heavy feeling.

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Movies are grouped here for their shared atmosphere of grandeur paired with sorrow. They share a specific emotional mix where the visual spectacle is undercut by a heavy, reflective tone, exploring themes of loneliness, the corruption of desire, and the personal sacrifices made for a public image.

Turbulent age gap romance movies like Behind the Candelabra

Intense, complicated love stories defined by power imbalances and dramatic age differences.Fans of the complex, power-imbalanced relationship in Behind the Candelabra will find more movies like it here. Discover similar emotional dramas about turbulent May-December romances, where significant age differences lead to manipulation, addiction, and bittersweet endings.

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Narrative Summary

The narrative pattern follows a whirlwind romance that quickly becomes controlling or codependent. The story often charts a course from infatuation and indulgence to psychological manipulation, conflict over identity and autonomy, and a painful, bittersweet conclusion that leaves both characters scarred.

Why These Movies?

These films are grouped by their focus on the specific dramatic arc of an age-gap relationship. They share a high emotional intensity, a steady pacing that allows for deep character study, and a heavy weight derived from themes of exploitation, loss of self, and the inevitable collapse of an unbalanced partnership.

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Behind the Candelabra Summary

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Behind the Candelabra Summary

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