Michael Douglas Stuns As Liberace In 'Behind The Candelabra' [Trailer & Pictures]

Michael Douglas as Liberace in Behind The Candelabra

Steven Soderbergh lands in sunny Cannes this week with his HBO movie Behind the Candelabra, a biopic of the flamboyant pianist Liberace, played by Michael Douglas. The American entertainer's personal life was embroiled in scandal with rumors of homosexuality which he always vehemently denied - this despite his close relationship with a young chauffeur named Scott, 39-years his junior.

Scott, played by Matt Damon, becomes an important figure in the pianist's life and he is even persuaded to under facial surgery by the pianist. It led to a desperate struggle with drugs and various fiery arguments between the pair. "I didn't want to do a biopic in the traditional sense. I wanted to go narrow and deep," Soderbergh told the Los Angeles Times of the movie, "It's Alice going down the rabbit hole. That's a much more elegant way to get into Liberace's life." On his love scenes with Damon, Michael Douglas told the New York Magazine, "Once you get that first kiss in, you are comfortable.Matt and I didn't rehearse the love scenes. We said, 'Well - we've read the script, haven't we?"

Watch the 'Behind the Candelabra' trailer!

The trailer is...well...a thing to behold really. It's camp, over the top and pretty, pretty flamboyant and though there's plenty to enjoy, it's worth watching simply for Rob Lowe's hilarious tan.

The movie is based on the 1988 autobiography of the real Scott Thorson, entitled, Behind the Candelabra: My Life With Liberace. Oscar-winner Soderbergh directs an adapted screenplay by Richard LaGravenese (The Horse Whisperer, The Mirror Has Two Faces).

Behind the Candelabra, also starring Dan Aykroyd and Debbie Reynolds, hits theaters on June 7, 2013. It is competing for the Palme d'Or at the Cannes Film Festival.

Michael Douglas & Matt Damon in Behind The Candelabra