Liza: A Truly Terrific Absolutely True Story

Bruce David Klein's 2025 documentary covers Liza Minnelli's career on stage. The telling runs largely from her own view and the archive material is extensive; the documentary focuses particularly on the people who trained her. The idea is whom an artist learned from. The choreographers, composers and directors to whom Minnelli owes her dancing, singing and stage presence are each taken up; the documentary presents this not as a story of talent but as a chain of transmission. Her mother's shadow is constantly present in the narrative but the film does not get stuck there. Mia Farrow, Ben Vereen and Chita Rivera speak among others. The tone is celebratory and the critical passages are kept short. Who it's for: those interested in musical theatre and biographies of stage performers. Who it's not for: viewers expecting a critical portrait; the documentary passes quickly over the difficult periods.