Documentary filmmaker Bruce David Klein had just wrapped up a day of shooting when he received an unexpected request from his subject, the iconic Liza Minnelli. He found her seated on her bed, where she earnestly implored him, “Bruce, don’t put in anything phony in the movie. Don’t make me look like a phony.” This genuine plea was a refreshing change for Klein, who had spent years urging his subjects to present their authentic selves on film. He agreed to her request, resulting in the candid documentary “Liza: A Truly Terrific Absolutely True Story.”
This insightful film, premiering on PBS as part of the American Masters series, delves into the life of the EGOT-award winning Minnelli. It reveals her battles with addiction, her struggle with insecurities, and the formidable legacy of her mother, Judy Garland, as she carved out her path to become a cherished American legend. Director Klein, known for his work on documentaries about Meat Loaf and Carl Icahn, reflects on Minnelli’s expansive life story, stating, “It’s a big epic subject that she is.”
Rather than following the traditional biopic formula, Klein employs archival performance footage and contemporary interviews. The film features an array of Minnelli’s friends and admirers, including Ben Vereen, Mia Farrow, Chita Rivera, and others, alongside Minnelli’s own reflections. Klein allowed the collected material to guide the storytelling process, shunning any preconceived notions about the project. A pivotal moment occurred when Minnelli attributed her persona to Fred Ebb, the lyricist known for his work on “Cabaret” and “Chicago.”
Klein discovered that after Garland’s passing in 1969, Minnelli relied heavily on five mentors — Ebb, Kay Thompson, Charles Aznavour, Bob Fosse, and designer Halston. These individuals were instrumental in shaping the budding performer. “The greatest gift these mentors gave her was confidence,” explains Klein. Unusually for a superstar, Minnelli was open about the influence of others, readily acknowledging their contributions to her success.
The film posits that Aznavour taught Minnelli to deliver songs with heartfelt sincerity, while Fosse instilled discipline and precision in her dance routines. Thompson, akin to an eccentric godmother, and Halston, who elevated her glamor, played vital roles. Meanwhile, Ebb provided crucial lyrical support, notably for Minnelli’s defining 1972 concert film “Liza With a Z,” which Klein considers the pinnacle of her career. “That was the moment all her mentors and friends came together to lift Liza into the stratosphere,” he remarks.
Ben Vereen agrees with the film’s portrayal, acknowledging the mentors’ influence on Minnelli. However, he notes their competing interests, commenting, “I think they all clung to her because of her legacy and, of course, her talent. It was a chance for them to shine, and she benefited immensely from it.”
Klein does not shy away from Minnelli’s vulnerabilities, including her struggles with addiction, driven by a need for perceived perfection, and her tumultuous romantic entanglements. The documentary presents her as a complex figure—both resilient and eager to please. “She has this steely power-confidence and insecurity-vulnerability, which constantly conflict within her,” Klein observes.
Despite being born into fame as the daughter of Judy Garland and Oscar-winning director Vincente Minnelli, Liza faced immense pressure to forge her own path. Enduring comparisons to her mother and criticism for her unconventional looks, her journey to stardom was anything but straightforward. Klein was surprised to learn how her privileged background was a double-edged sword, suggesting that her journey from an inherited third base of fame to reaching her own home run was more arduous than it might appear.