Liza: A Truly Terrific Absolutely True Story

Liza: A Truly Terrific Absolutely True Story Review

To some, she’s Sally Bowles. To others, Lucille 2. But to many, she’s simply Liza (with a “Z”, of course).

But how does one become Liza? Indeed, one could be forgiven for thinking she came into this world fully formed as a legend. But what this film quickly establishes is that this couldn’t be farther from the truth and that “she set out to create the person she wanted to become.” As told by her friends, collaborators, and Liza herself, Liza: A Truly Terrific Absolutely True Story is a near-definitive history of one of the most electrifying performers of the 20th century. 

The film opens with footage of Liza “directing” the documentary team where to place the cameras for her interview. As she quickly reminds us, her father was Vincent Minnelli, so “what do you expect”? But don’t worry, she won’t be calling the shots along the way. Despite her participation, this is unlike some other “artist-approved” documentaries that have come out in recent years. Ones that sanitize or overlook certain parts of a subject’s life or feel altogether surface level; on the contrary. Director Bruce David Klein (Meat Loaf: In Search of Paradise) is not afraid to dig deep to tell the story as it really happened, to tell us what it took for the daughter of Hollywood royalty to become a star all on her own.

The film unfolds through a series of 9 segments covering such subjects as her mother’s untimely passing and its effect on the young Liza, her mentors and creative partners, her iconic fashion, and, yes, her darker periods that stemmed from failed relationships to her substance abuse. Many of these segments are led by friend and performer Michael Feinstein. You’ll hear from him a lot (some might argue too much), but Feinstein’s work as a musical historian and archivist makes him the perfect voice to detail Liza’s life. He is able to not only provide the historical context, but also act as a witness as someone who was there by her side. 

But it’s the voices of her friends and collaborators that make the film so rich; you immediately understand not only the admiration they have for Liza as a performer and artist, but the love they have for her as a person. If there’s one thing you come away from this documentary understanding, it’s that Liza is not only a once in a lifetime talent, but a truly incredible, loyal, and loving friend; the likes of which is rarely seen in show business. And there are plenty of famous friends to be heard from here, be it Joel Grey, Ben Vereen, Chita Rivera, or Mia Farrow. Each of them are legends in their own right, but wax rhapsodic here about the woman they love so much. 

The show business tales are great to hear, but the way in which it helps you understand just how hard she worked to forge her own path is what makes the documentary so compelling. How, even as a teenager, she understood the need to surround herself with the right people who would help her uncover her talent, and define the person she would become. Never resting on the fame she was born into, she strove to shake off her famous family and make a name for herself.  There’s a reason she’s a mononym after all; she doesn’t need any other name.

The film features a wealth of archival material, including rarely seen performance footage (including brief glimpses of her iconic turn as Gwen Verdon’s replacement in the original Broadway production of Chicago), and never before seen home movies from Liza’s personal collection. There’s a lovely moment where some of these newly uncovered home movies are shown to friend and collaborator Ben Vereen, which brings the Broadway legend to tears. Sure, it’s all a bit theatrical, but this is a film about Liza, after all!

Not all the interviews pack the same punch. Nearly two thirds into the film we are introduced to an NYU professor and psychoanalyst who attempts to provide insight into Liza’s mindset. These segments come across as superfluous and unnecessary, adding speculation to the mix while providing little actual insight. They remind you of bad VH1 documentaries, and do the film a disservice. 

But thankfully, these moments are few and far between. The rest of the film is a fulsome, engaging, beautiful portrait of an icon, the likes of which we so rarely see. If you come to the film as a mere admirer of Minnelli’s, you’ll walk away truly in awe of the incredible career she has forged. And for long-time fans, you will be greeted with a wealth of imagery and performance footage that will remind you just why you fell in love with her in the first place.

Liza: A Truly Terrific Absolutely True Story poster

Liza: A Truly Terrific Absolutely True Story hits theatres in limited release starting today. Catch it at the following:

Hot Docs Cinema – Toronto: Jan. 31 and Feb. 1 

Mayfair Theatre – Ottawa: Jan. 31  & Feb. 4-6

VIFF – Vancouver: Feb. 2-12

The Fox – Toronto: Feb. 2

Revue Theatre – Toronto: February 8 to 11



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