Behind the cunnilingus. Sorry, I meant candelabra.

Douglas, you filthy swine! We’re very happy to see and hear you’re alive and swinging but, please. You’re revelations about your extra-curricular activities were unnecessary…

I’m very happy to say that I finally got round to seeing Steven Soderberg’s much vaunted ‘Behind the candelabra’ with Michael Douglas playing Liberace and Matt Damon as his son/lover/father/brother, Scott Thorson. If you like glitz, glam, gold chains and tinklers of the ivories, you are in for a treat.

I must admit that, unfortunately, I knew little of Liberace before I went to see this film bar his Italian/Polish heritage and his outfits which were only slightly less extraordinary than his talent. Soderberg really plunges the audience right into the heart of Liberace’s private world, shedding light on Liberace’s homosexuality which he never publically acknowledged during his lifetime. The main focus is, of course, on his relationship with Thorson who, at a glance, would appear to be the most significant of all of the relationships he had throughout his life. The film is a sausage fest in every sense with the only female character is presented in the form of Liberace’s mother, Frances, magnificently interpreted by the legendary Debbie Reynolds. If I had not known that she was to play this character before seeing the film, I would not have recognised her at all; the polish accent, make up, hair, prosthetics, mannerisms…quite extraordinary! But this really goes for the whole cast. Whether it’s the main characters, Cheyenne Jackson’s scorned former lover or Rob Lowe’s hilarious turn as Liberace’s plastic surgeon there’s not a weak link.

Douglas is superb and it’s a shame that he will not be eligible for the big awards next year. But, let’s face it, even if you couldn’t give a monkey’s about good acting, it’s worth it just for the hilarious sight of Matt Damon’s white rhinestone posing pouch which did not provoke as much mirth amongst the audience as one would have imagined…Ben Affleck will NEVER let him live that one down!

Behind the chintz lies a very moving love story which was to end tragically through Thorson’s drug abuse and Liberace’s death of AIDs. The film has entertaining moments and is a treat for the eye but it’s not a laugh-a-minute. At the centre of it is the great figure of Liberace and I would stress one thing about him: he was kitch, cheesy and he bloody loved it but, please, never underestimate the talent of this man. 

No Featherbottom, no party

I dedicate this post to the 'Arrested Development' super fans who have not forgotten what a banging series it was (past tense). I was rooting for them. I watched the trailers and followed the voyages of the banana stand and all the nutters who blue themselves to mark the occasion. I even got of my arse and joined Netflix for a month (I'm not paying a penny you bastards!!). Yet, one of the best things to happen to television just didn't quite manage to live up to the brilliance of their three glorious previous series.

From the first episode, you knew it was going to be somewhat clunky. The idea of following individual characters rather than the choral format of the previous series fell slap bang on its arse. I grew to find he character of Michael profoundly annoying, largely because he was taking precious air time away from Lucille, Lucille 2, Gene Parmesan and Buster. The idea to cast Seth Rogan as a young George Sr. was disastrous and frankly seemed like a total waste of money in order to pander to Judd Apatow fans. Kristen Wiig was good as Lucille but, to be honest, I'd have rather seen Jessica Walter in a dodgy 70s wig.

In fact, the general lack of Lucille and Buster was criminal. The greatest scene of the entire series was Buster aiding Lucille to smoke. Enough said, just see it for yourselves! 

Lindsay's foray to India and Tobias' 'Fantastic Four' musical feat. crystal meth were also pretty banging. Big shout out to my new fave ginger (sorry J-Chas) Isla Fisher who made a welcome guest appearance as Ron Howard's daughter and Michael/George Michael's love interest. She was sassy, brassy and totally off her rocker - let's call her a Lucille-light. 

My main beef, the mother of all errors, was the total lack of AD's answer to Mary Poppins, Mrs Featherbottom. I consider her the greatest AD character of them all with such classic lines as: 

It pains me to write this review but I'm still glad we got another chance to enjoy one of the greatest creations TV has ever offered and appreciate this exceptional cast of actors.