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‘Behind the Candelabra’: Forgive me, Richard LaGravenese

"Behind the Candelabra" screenwriter Richard LaGravenese, left, actor Michael Douglas and book writer Scott Thorson at the film's screening in Cannes.
(Alberto Pizzoli / AFP / Getty Images)
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In my recent review of the HBO film “Behind the Candelabra,” I was so busy deconstructing the big flap over casting as an ironic example of image trumping reality that I proceeded to perpetuate the same crime.

No film is created by a director and his or her cast; as the Writer’s Guild constantly reminds us (and for reasons that are now quite clear): “Somebody wrote that.”

In this case, that somebody was acclaimed screenwriter Richard LaGravenese, who adapted the film from a book by Alex Thoralefson and Scott Thorson. LaGravenese has written and adapted many fine films, including, most recently, “Beautiful Creatures” and “Water for Elephants”, and the writing of “Behind the Candelabra” was so fine I could not resist quoting two bits of dialogue in my review. Which makes me even more ashamed of my omission.

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Mr. LaGravenese, please accept my apology. And congratulations on “Behind the Candelabra.”

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