A documentary about Liza Minnelli, “Liza: A Truly Terrific Absolutely True Story,” sheds light on those who helped shape her into a beloved American icon. Director Bruce David Klein had finished shooting for the day when Minnelli asked him privately not to include any phony material in the film.
The result is an unvarnished look at Minnelli’s life, covering her struggles with addiction, insecurity, and the shadow of her mother Judy Garland. The documentary features old performance clips and new interviews with friends and admirers, including Ben Vereen and Mia Farrow.
Klein aimed to avoid a conventional biopic by letting the material speak for itself. He discovered that Minnelli leaned on five key mentors after her mother’s death in 1969, who helped shape her into a confident performer. These mentors included lyricist Fred Ebb, actor and author Kay Thompson, French singer Charles Aznavour, director Bob Fosse, and designer Halston.
The documentary highlights how these mentors provided Minnelli with confidence, precision, and glamour. Klein notes that the most important moment in Minnelli’s career was her 1972 concert film “Liza With a Z,” which showcased all five of her key mentors and friends coming together to support her.
The film also delves into Minnelli’s struggles with addiction and her tumultuous romances. A portrait emerges of a woman who is both strong-willed and vulnerable, with a steely power-confidence and insecurity that clash inside her.
Minnelli’s journey from being compared to Garland to finding her own superstar level was a difficult one, thanks in part to the expectations placed upon her as a “nepo baby.” The documentary offers an unvarnished look at Minnelli’s life, revealing a complex and multifaceted individual who overcame numerous challenges to become a beloved American icon.
Source: https://apnews.com/article/liza-minnelli-documentary-truly-terrific-c1c0d433c28c151fdd679c991650aea4