I was so pleased to see that one of the films being shown on my flight to Antigua on Thursday morning was Behind the Candelabra because I’d wanted to see it when it came out in the cinema but couldn’t get to a showing.
It was a brilliant film, not least of all because of the amazing performances of the three main protagonists; Michael Douglas, Matt Damon and Rob Lowe. Each of them, especially Rob Lowe as the spaced-out slightly creepy plastic surgeon, created a really three-dimensional totally believable character in a story that was just incredible in that it was kept from the public. I mean, Liberace, gay? Who knew? How on earth did he ever win his lawsuit against the Daily Mirror and its journalist Cassandra, who had hinted as Liberace’s sexuality in an article? But the sheer opulence and flamboyance of his lifestyle was jaw-dropping and the way young man after young man was just brought in and then kicked out when the next one was ready on the sub’s bench. The cosmetic surgery was a bit too graphic for my liking, but the storyline of Scott undergoing cosmetic surgery to make him look like a young Liberace showed just how strong a hold Liberace had over him. Was Scott really in love with him or with the life being Liberace’s boyfriend offered? I found myself leaping from liking to loathing Liberace and back again from one scene to the next. And the final scene where he’s dying was such a shock. Kudos to the hair and make-up department.
So seeing BTC was a big plus as was, of course, travelling Upper Class. Good old air miles!! The plane was new, or at least the interior had had a facelift better than Liberace’s and was very comfortable and service very attentive. I LOVE upgrading. Because I’m Worth It! Lovely!
And then after a great meal – probably the best airline meal I’ve ever had – try the beef, people! – and a three hour sleep I started to watch a Pedro Almodovar film Los Pasajeros Amantes (Passenger Lovers, for some reason translated into English as I’m So Excited?). It’s about a plane that’s got a problem with the undercarriage and so instead of flying to Mexico DF, it’s going round in circles over Toledo. I know that perhaps it wasn’t the best choice given where I was watching it but it’s hilarious. I’d forgotten how funny Almodovar and his films can be, plus, of course, the Spanish sense of humour and the actors playing the three stewards had me in stitches. Unfortunately, I missed the final twenty minutes as we were coming into land but I’ll watch it on the return journey.
All in all, I had a gay old flight!
And now I’m settling in and beginning to feel relaxed and chilled. The insurance claim for the leak has been completed, the password for my bank account has been sorted out and I’ve got an electricity meter!! Result!
And now, I can turn my attention to my lovely people who are still sitting on the coach in Delhi and patiently waiting for me to get back to them and continue their story and their adventures: Singles in India WILL be finished by the time I leave here on 28th!!
