Although you won’t see them in theaters, HBO produces original films that are on par with theatrical releases. Here are five original films produced by HBO in 2013.
Behind the Candelabra is the most notable of HBO’s original films this year. Based on the memoir by Scott Thorson, it tells the story of Thorson (Matt Damon) and his relationship – loving and tragic, sincere and destructive – with Liberace (Michael Douglas). Although their is plenty of flair in this story of the flamboyant performer, under director Steven Soderbergh the film never devolves into pure camp. The film won three Emmys this year, including Best Movie/Miniseries, Best Director and Best Actor for Douglas.
Muhammad Ali’s Greatest Fight combines archive footage of Ali and others with performances from contemporary actors. It follows the events surrounding Ali’s claim to conscientious objector status during the Vietnam War, which went all the way to the U.S. Supreme Court. The action is not in the boxing ring but at the Court itself with legal wrangling among the justices, including Frank Langella as Chief Justice Warren Berger, Danny Glover as Thurgood Marshall and Christopher Plummer as John Marshall Harlan. Directed by Stephen Frears.
Phil Spector follows the life of the famed music producer in a scorching performance by Al Pacino. Spector is accused of murder and hires attorney Bruce Cutler (Jeffrey Tambor) to represent him, but fellow attorney Linda Kenney Baden (Helen Mirren) takes a larger role in order to control their unpredictable client amidst evidence of his guilt. It was written and directed by acclaimed playwright David Mamet, who also received an Emmy nomination along with Pacino and Mirren.
Mary and Martha is an inspiring film about two mothers who lose their sons to malaria. Mary (Hilary Swank) is an upscale American interior designer and Martha (Brenda Blethyn) is a middle-class British housewife. In their grief, these very different women form a strong friendship, enlist the help of Mary’s father (James Woods) and travel to Africa, where they aim to raise awareness of malaria and find a renewed purpose in life. Directed by Philip Noyce and written by Richard Curtis.
Clear History is the latest production from the hysterically neurotic mind of Larry David. David is Nathan, a marketing executive who made the biggest mistake of his life by walking away from a product that ended up being hugely successful. Ten years later, living a different life on Martha’s Vineyard, he sees his former boss (Jon Hamm) and plots to get him off the island before his identity is revealed. A series of mishaps and a stellar supporting cast make this a treat for those who miss Curb Your Enthusiasm.
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