Liza's 'Truly Terrific Absolutely True Story'

Minnelli shines in superb new documentary

by David-Elijah Nahmod

"I was born, and they took a picture," Liza Minnelli says in Bruce David Klein's superb new documentary, "Liza: A Truly Terrific Absolutely True Story." The star was referring to the pressures that come with growing up in the Hollywood spotlight.

The daughter of film director Vincente Minnelli and showbiz legend Judy Garland, Liza has lived in the public eye almost since birth. As a teenager she performed with her mother, going on to carve out her own unique persona. Liza became a star in her own right, winning 4 Tony Awards, an Oscar, an Emmy, and two Grammys—EGOT status for having won all 4 awards.

Klein's film begins with the death of Garland, which affected Liza deeply. She and her mother loved each other dearly, though there were some rifts in the silver lining. When the two performed together a few years before Garland's death, Liza brought the house down.

When they performed a duet later in the show, Garland pushed Liza's microphone closer to her face. Viewers of the documentary will get to see footage of this. Apparently, there was some jealousy on Garland's part.

"It wasn't a load of laughs being Judy Garland's daughter," Liza says late in the film, referring to Garland's substance abuse issues and suicide attempts. The film is unflinchingly honest as it deals with this and with Liza's own substance abuse issues.

Klein has made an authorized biography of the star, which he did with Liza's participation. Little is left out as the viewer is introduced to all of the people who mentored her over the years.

Click here for the rest of the Bay Area Reporter article: Liza Minnelli.

'Liza: A Truly Terrific Absolutely True Story,' 103 minutes, opens February 28 at the Roxie Theater, 3117 16th St.

www.roxie.com
www.zeitgeistfilms.com