Rating of
3/4
The limelight on the excess.
memento_mori - wrote on 11/09/13
And the award for Film that made me smile the most so far this year goes to…
So, after admitting that Side Effects would be his last film before going into retirement, one of my favorite directors Steven Soderbergh did the most logical thing and… made another movie.
Well, putting the fact aside that it came out of nowhere, Behind the Candelabra is fortunately one of Soderbergh's best films.
This is most likely the sweetest, most endearing and passionate film I've seen so far this year.
From the opening it sets an amazing tone, skillfully implying the confusion and sexual orientation of Matt Damon's character Scott Thorson. Soderbergh is simply an auteur when it comes to genre movies.
Matt Damon and Michael Douglas are both worthy of Academy Awards. From their costumes and way they walk to the tones of their voices and absolute commitment to their roles, they sink into these fantastic characters and become unrecognizable.
Soderbergh's direction is great as always, especially the framing in this movie. Simply divine. No other director could set the mood for each scene so extravagantly, it's an absolute treat to see each shot in practically a different color.
The script is very humorous in comparison to such a serious subject. I don't know how it worked, but the comedic touch simply complimented the performances and to put it highly, spectacled the screen. So many memorable lines as well as conversations that hit exactly the right chords.
Steven Soderbergh told 'The Guardian' newspaper that the way directors are being treated in this day and age is unacceptable, 'absolutely horrible'. He did not specify in which way, but whatever may have led him to this decision, with Behind the Candelabra he has made sure to reserve himself a spot in the half of fame of directors.
Thanks for the great goodbye present Soderbergh, I'll miss you.
