Liza: A Truly Terrific Absolutely True Story

A few weeks ago, we had a Liza Minnelli two-fer, starting with her delightful cameo on the "Drag Race" S17 finale followed by this breezy 90-minute documentary that's more a loving tribute than a deep-dive into all that is Liza (which would need a mini-series). I loved the doc from just the name, which sounds like a lyric from "Ring Them Bells", and I appreciated the film's focus on Liza's fierce loyalty, a theme as constant as her life in the spotlight. In this film, Liza's icon status is on full display, from childhood memories of Judy Garland to her "Cabaret" performance and EGOT-winning career. We hear charming anecdotes, like stepping in to save "Chicago" on Broadway, and witness how tragedy shaped her path. It doesn't dwell on rehab or personal darkness, but celebrates her resilience, reminding us that she sparkled from the very beginning.

As a lifelong fan of Liza I went into this expecting more. It focuses very specifically on the period of her life between the death of her mother and around 1980.

It's really far more about the lives and talents of the many people with whom she surrounded herself and found influence creatively, and I do understand that in many ways that *IS* who she is. However I was hoping for exciting stories and what I got was quite a lot of discussion about how she met and worked with people like Halton, Kander & Ebb etc... and those stories, though beautiful and lovely in their own way, aren't particularly exciting.

The documentary seemed to go to great lengths to steer clear of any in depth discussions about anything that might be controvserial or lascivious, and there is even a moment in the film when Liza denies anyone having ever done drugs at Studio 54, which feels less like naive denial and more like a woman who is bound and determined to maintain as pristine a public image as she can (despite her openness about struggling with addiction.)

What was really shocking was that her deep and longstanding connection with gay men wasn't even *mentioned*. In fact the only time queerness came up was when it was briefly acknowledged that her first husband was gay, which was yet again a topic that might have been interesting to discuss but was breezed past.

There is very little in the way of actual interviews with present-day Liza telling her own stories, and that to me is where the whole project failed the most.

It might have fared better as a 60 minute TV special than a nearly two hour documentary, as after the first hour I actually found myself getting bored.

Liza herself is a *STAR*. The documentary, for me, just isn't.

How this woman does not have a Kennedy center Honor I do not know. She's one every award there is to win EGOT and dozens more. This movie deserves one itself it's fun funny and goes by so fast Don't blink. You'll laugh you'll cry and you'll clap. It's wonderful to see and hear Liza narrate on top of everything else. Pure Bliss. Do not miss this! I wait with bated breath to see it again on PBS what a wonderful love letter to one of the greatest talents of our time. Everyone clapped at the end of this in the theater and that does not happen for movies very often. I cannot remember any that I've seen in the theater where people clapped like this. That tells you everything you need to know. I would have sat through a second showing if they would have let me. The direction and editing are top notch they cover Liza from birth to legend in the blink of an eye. My only complaint is that it was definitely too short it was over so fast like a fun ride at the amusement park. Keep your eye on this to win awards and your hearts. Enjoy everybody.

It's fascinating to see how something truly wondrous comes together from the ground up, witnessing the various components that go into the assembling if its finished form. It's particularly intriguing when that "something" is an individual who's tremendously gifted in some way and uses his or her talents to produce astounding works of creativity. That's especially true for those in artistic and entertainment pursuits, as is the case with iconic actress/singer/dancer Liza Minnelli, the famous daughter of actress/singer/dancer Judy Garland and filmmaker Vincente Minnelli. Writer-director Bruce David Klein's new biographical documentary of the legendary entertainer is a revealing look at the professional and personal life of its subject, told in nine chapters, most of which focus on the influences who helped shape the life and career of the storied stage, screen and concert performer. Under the tutelage of her famous parents, as well as mentoring collaborations with multi-talented entertainer Kay Thompson, singer Charles Aznavour, director Bob Fosse, composers Fred Ebb and John Kander, and fashion designer Halston, Liza emerged as one of the most distinguished and readily identifiable figures in show business, rocketing her to stardom on multiple fronts. Her singular look, polished persona and stellar performances placed Minnelli in constant demand, thanks largely to her determination to follow through on every venture she took on, a quality that helped earn her an Oscar, an Emmy, three Tonys and a lifetime achievement Grammy Award. At the same time, Liza's personal life was as ambitious and colorful as her professional pursuits, one filled with more than its share of highs, lows and challenges, all of which are candidly examined, including the stresses brought on by relentless press coverage of these developments. These explorations into her life are backed up with a wealth of archive footage, film clips from Minnelli's Academy Award-winning performance in "Cabaret" (1972), and recent interviews with friends, collaborators and entertainment industry observers, including Michael Feinstein, Ben Vereen, Mia Farrow, Joel Grey, George Hamilton, Chita Rivera and actress/half-sister Lorna Luft, among others. This combination of elements makes for an insightful profile of the entertainer, even if it sags a bit in the middle and has an occasional tendency to gush in the presentation of its content. Nevertheless, for the most part, "Liza" is a truly terrific true story that shows how success arises when it's carefully conceived, deliberately constructed and meticulously packaged, yielding a result we can all genuinely admire.

Director Bruce David Klein deserves credit for not turning this 2024 documentary into complete hagiography as Liza Minnelli's celebrity-filled personal life and dazzling career would've been easy fodder for the goddess treatment I was fearing from the cheeky title. In fact, even in her current frail state, there is an unencumbered spirit that infuses the often enthralling albeit rather incomplete account of her storied life. Of course her accomplished parents are covered here and not surprisingly her loving but fraught relationship with her iconic mother Judy Garland. It was the aftermath of Garland's 1969 death that led Minnelli to seek the guidance of five key mentors - performer/vocal coach Kay Thompson, singer/songwriter Charles Aznavour, lyricist Fred Ebb, director/choreographer Bob Fosse, and designer Halston. Klein wisely focuses on Minnelli's defining career achievements through their individual contributions. Fosse, in particular, gets deserved attention for guiding her 1972 twin juggernauts, the film version of "Cabaret" and the TV special "Liza with a Z". However, those looking for a more complete career retrospective might be disappointed because the film ignores true career milestones like her first Oscar nomination for "The Sterile Cuckoo", "Arthur", and "Arrested Development", as well as high-profile bombs like "Lucky Lady" and "New York, New York" (except the signature song). Close confidants like Mia Farrow and Michael Feinstein act as talking heads for Minnelli who provides brief comments throughout. Nonetheless, the film is a fitting tribute to a true legend who unequivocally escaped the shadow cast by her legendary mother.