HBO's forthcoming telepic Behind the Candleabra will deal with the controversial relationship between two gay men in a straightforward manner. The film is based on the memoirs of Scott Thorson, the young man who shared the aging Liberace's life and bed in the twilight of the legendary entertainer's career. The film has caused a lot of buzz because the two men depicted will be played by Michael Douglas and Matt Damon, two actors who feel that their reputations as straight romantic leads will ensure that their careers aren't jeopardized. In the past, straight actors who were courageous enough to play gay men in a sympathetic manner often saw their efforts eviscerated by critics and their box office power called into question. Douglas concedes he wouldn't have been courageous enough to take on such a role when he was Damon's age. Director Steven Soderbergh and his actors promise that, despite the over-the-top elements that characterized every part of Liberace's life and career, his story will be handled in a dramatic and dignified manner. Click here for more.
