Liza: A Truly Terrific Absolutely True Story

2024

Biography / Documentary / History / Music

3
Rotten Tomatoes Critics - Rotten 94% · 40 reviews
Rotten Tomatoes Audience - Upright 94% · 100 ratings
IMDb Rating 7.5/10 10 682 682

Plot summary

Rich with archival gems and Liza Minnelli’s own point of view, Bruce David Klein's luminous documentary celebrates a young entertainer full of boundless raw talent and the deep, creative relationships with her mentors and influences.

720p.WEB 1080p.WEB
954.79 MB
1280*720
English 2.0
NR
Subtitles us  
23.976 fps
1 hr 43 min
Seeds 10
1.91 GB
1920*1080
English 5.1
NR
Subtitles us  
23.976 fps
1 hr 43 min
Seeds 21

Movie Reviews

Reviewed by muffintoprescue 6 / 10

A bit of a disappointment for those hoping for an exciting story

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.
Reviewed by mdw0526 8 / 10

A warm & breezy glimpse into a superstar for the ages...

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.
Reviewed by ferguson-6 7 / 10

acting a song like no other

Greetings again from the darkness. The list of icons known by a single name is relatively short and includes such luminaries as Elvis, Prince, Cher, Bono, Beyonce, and Sting. Immediately recognizable with only her first name, Liza Minnelli also fits right in. Documentarian Bruce David Klein has delivered a tribute to her early years as the daughter of worshipped idol Judy Garland and famed film director Vicente Minnelli, and outlines her own path to stardom after tragedy to being recognized as one of the greatest performers of all time.Liza is now 79 years old and wheelchair bound, and yet when the lights are on and the camera is rolling, her entertainer side takes over and she's charming, and a bit naughty. The death of her mother in 1969 (at age 47) was a distinct turning point in Liza's life. She says she was born and they took a picture - meaning she has spent her entire life in the spotlight ... although she makes it clear she was not born in a red sequin dress.We learn about those who have influenced her career, her life, and her style. Singled out are Kay Thompson as a mentor, Charles Aznavour who taught her performance, Fred Ebb and musical partner John Kander, Broadway legend Michael Feinstein, and famed choreographer Bob Fosse. We also learn of Liza's four marriages and divorces to Peter Allen, Jack Haley Jr, Mark Gero, and David Gest. Though Liza offers no real comment on the marriages, those interviewed are particularly harsh when discussing the late Mr. Gest.Liza's brilliance has resulted in the rare EGOT, with her Emmy and Oscar being won in the same year ("Liza with a Z", CABARET). Not surprisingly, her outstanding performance as Sally Bowles in CABARET (1972) draws a significant portion of the commentary here, and it's stunning to hear Liza remark, "I don't think I'm a real good singer, but I can act a song." Her loyalty to friends is emphasized on multiple occasions - never more dramatically than when she saved the Broadway production of "Chicago" by substituting for Gwen Verdon.Not much time is devoted to the dark period, although her friendship with Halston (clothes and parties at Studio 54) is mentioned. Liza's half-sister Lorna Luft appears briefly, but not much personal insight is provided. Rehab for Liza is acknowledged, but let's be clear, Bruce David Klein set out to make a loving tribute to a fascinating performer, and that's exactly what this is.Opens in theaters on March 14, 2025.
Read more IMDb reviews

No comments yet

Be the first to leave a comment