Liza: A Truly Terrific Absolutely True Story
| Liza: A Truly Terrific Absolutely True Story | |
|---|---|
 Film poster | |
| Directed by | Bruce David Klein |
| Produced by | Bruce David Klein Alexander J. Goldstein Robert Rich |
| Edited by | Alexander J. Goldstein Jake Keene |
Production company | Atlas Media |
| Distributed by | Zeitgeist Films |
Release date |
|
Running time | 104 minutes |
| Country | United States |
| Language | English |
| Box office | $220,052[1][2] |
Liza: A Truly Terrific Absolutely True Story is a 2024 American documentary film produced and directed by Bruce David Klein about the life of Liza Minnelli.[3] It premiered on June 12, 2024, at the Tribeca Festival to positive reviews.[4]
Release
[edit]The film was released in New York City on January 24, 2025, and in Los Angeles on January 31, 2025.[5] According to IndieWire: "Among limited runs, Liza: A Truly Terrific Absolutely True Story (Zeitgeist/Kino) with $19,000 at Manhattan's IFC Center had the best initial showing for a platformed documentary in some time. Liza Minnelli's fans and more turned out for what could be a niche success."[6]
Reception
[edit]On the review aggregator website Rotten Tomatoes, 94% of 35 critics' reviews are positive, with an average rating of 7.9/10.[7] Metacritic, which uses a weighted average, assigned the film a score of 76 out of 100, based on 14 critics, indicating "generally favorable" reviews.[8]
In his review for Variety, critic Owen Gleiberman called the film "scintillating". He wrote of a general sense of positivity despite overwhelming odds and remarked that Minnelli was "here to testify that she was not Judy Garland The Junior Wreck Edition."[9] Elizabeth Weitzman of TheWrap heaped plenty of praise on director Klein, writing that he created a film "bursting with love". With that said, she did criticize Klein for leaving out Minnelli's childhood struggles despite the frequent discussions of vulnerability, calling it the "only real misstep" in what she otherwise considered "as close to the thrilling magic of one of Minnelli’s stage shows".[10]
David Rooney of The Hollywood Reporter called the film "warmingly celebratory but also unquestionably authentic", suffused with a "generosity of spirit". However, he also wrote that there was a certain "selectivity", noticing that she did not speak much about her relationship problems or drug issues. Nevertheless, he advised Minnelli fans to "gather and worship."[11] Manohla Dargis of The New York Times lauded the film as "jaw-dropping", "inspiring", and "determinedly upbeat". However, she also called it "conspiciously incomplete", noting that the film (understandably in her view) skimmed over the more troubled aspects of Minnelli's life, particularly her relationship with her mother.[12]
References
[edit]- ^ "Liza: S Truly Terrific Absolutely True Story". Box Office Mojo. IMDb. Archived from the original on September 17, 2024. Retrieved April 7, 2025.
- ^ "Liza: S Truly Terrific Absolutely True Story". The Numbers. IMDb. Archived from the original on September 17, 2024. Retrieved April 7, 2025.
- ^ Rooney, David (June 12, 2024). "'Liza: A Truly Terrific Absolutely True Story' Review: Liza Minnelli Doc Is a Full-Hearted Celebration That Will Hit Fans' Sweet Spot". The Hollywood Reporter.
- ^ "LIZA: A Truly Terrific Absolutely True Story | 2024 Tribeca Festival". Tribeca. Retrieved 2024-11-20.
- ^ "Liza Minnelli Opens Up in First Trailer for Documentary 'Liza: A Truly Terrific Absolutely True Story' (EXCLUSIVE)". Variety. 2024-11-25. Retrieved 2025-01-31.
- ^ "A Real 'Flight Risk': In January, Only One Film Opened to More Than $12 Million". IndieWire. January 26, 2025. Retrieved February 12, 2025.
- ^ "Liza: A Truly Terrific Absolutely True Story". Rotten Tomatoes. Retrieved 2025-03-28.
- ^ "Liza: A Truly Terrific Absolutely True Story". Metacritic. Retrieved 2025-03-28.
- ^ Gleiberman, Owen (2024-06-19). "'Liza: A Truly Terrific Absolutely True Story' Review: Liza Minnelli's Life Proves as Radiant as Her Art in Bruce David Klein's Scintillating Documentary". Variety. Retrieved 2024-11-20.
- ^ Weitzman, Elizabeth (2024-06-12). "'Liza: A Truly Terrific, Absolutely True Story' Review: Delightful Doc Celebrates the Extraordinary Career of a Rare Icon". TheWrap. Retrieved 2024-11-20.
- ^ Rooney, David (2024-06-12). "'Liza: A Truly Terrific Absolutely True Story' Review: Liza Minnelli Doc Is a Full-Hearted Celebratio That Will Hit Fans' Sweet Spot". The Hollywood Reporter. Retrieved 2025-03-22.
- ^ Dargis, Manohla (2025-01-23). "'Liza: A Truly Terrific Absolutely True Story' Review: Her Life as a Cabaret". The New York Times. Retrieved 2025-03-29.