PALM SPRINGS INTERNATIONAL FILM FESTIVAL 2025 REVIEW! Liza: A Truly Terrific Absolutely True Story is a documentary by director-screenwriter Bruce David Klein about the award-winning EGOT singer and actress Liza Minnelli. Klein’s film is about the origin of Liza’s star persona and deals with the complicated legacy of her mother, Judy Garland. Liza became a mega star in the 1970s due to her many influences in the business. Her godmother, Kay Thompson (a vocal arranger at Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer and author of the Eloise series), became her mentor after Garland’s tragic passing in 1969. The legendary director-choreographer Bob Fosse refined Liza’s dancing abilities with his precise minimalist style. Additionally, Halston, a fashion designer of the 1970s and frequent guest at Studio 54, shaped her fashion sense and notably created the red-sequined outfit seen in many of her concerts. These are some names associated with the daughter of Hollywood royalty’s famous couple.
The film also delves into Liza’s personal life. We learn about her struggles through interviews with her closest friends, Mia Farrow, Ben Vereen, and Michael Feinstein. Liza always wanted to be a mother; unfortunately, she had many miscarriages. The silver lining is she’s been a godmother to her friends’ children and grandchildren. She also took the initiative to address her alcoholism and drug addiction by going into rehab. It is a genuine portrait of Liza Minnelli and a showcase of her brilliant talent.
“… origin of Liza’s star persona and deals with the complicated legacy of her mother, Judy Garland.”
This documentary will appeal to fans of Classic Hollywood and Broadway. To those familiar with Judy Garland’s well-documented life, Klein’s film tells a parallel story of resiliency and her metamorphosis to stardom. Liza is funny, honest, and wonderfully quirky in interview segments. It is an honor to hear from a descendant of the Classical Hollywood period, as many have passed away over the years. We are treated to her singing near the end of the documentary, a nice cherry on top of this film.
The other interviewees provided great insight and defined Liza’s real-life personality. Joel Grey recalls his “brother-sister” relationship with her on the set of Cabaret. Michael Feinstein’s encyclopedic knowledge of Hollywood’s Golden Age and Classic Broadway provides essential information for newbie viewers. The editing by Alex J. Goldstein and Jake Keene balances out archival material and interview footage in an entertaining way. Rare behind-the-scenes footage from her 1975 European concert tour is a major highlight. It is a delight to see Liza’s evolution as a performer, thanks to perfectly timed clips from films and television shows like New York, New York and The Ed Sullivan Show. These clips provide a taste of her versatility and may invite new fans to Liza’s vast discography and filmography.
Bruce David Klein is smart in respecting Liza’s privacy when it comes to difficult topics, such as her many divorces. It is sophisticated and prevents the documentary from becoming a gossipy tell-all. Liza: A Truly Terrific Absolutely True Story is a phenomenal documentary and jubilant tribute to one of the best!
Liza: A Truly Terrific Absolutely True Story screened at the 2025 Palm Springs International Film Festival.
"…Liza always wanted to be a mother; unfortunately, she had many miscarriages."
