It takes a rare kind of performer to shine as brightly as Liza Minnelli.  Her legacy spans generations, bridging the golden age of Hollywood with the electric pulse of Broadway and beyond.  Born to legends Judy Garland and Vincente Minnelli, she seemed destined for stardom, and Liza: A Truly Terrific Absolutely True Story is a celebration of that very inheritance.  Directed by Bruce David Klein, the documentary serves as a loving tribute to a performer of boundless charisma and unmatched showmanship—though it keeps a careful distance from the more complicated parts of her story.

For those familiar with Minnelli’s career, the film offers a nostalgic montage of her most iconic moments—dazzling television appearances, career-defining stage performances, and that signature, magnetic energy that made her a legend.  A parade of famous admirers, including Mia Farrow, Michael Feinstein, and her half-sister Lorna Luft (Grease 2), chime in to confirm what longtime fans already know: Liza isn’t just a star; she’s a singular force in entertainment.  But therein lies the film’s biggest limitation—it talks about her rather than letting her speak for herself.  It’s a heartfelt love letter, but one written at arm’s length.

That’s not to say the documentary lacks depth.  The exploration of Liza’s relationship with her godmother, Kay Thompson, is a fascinating detour, and the film’s chaptered structure gives it a theatrical flair that feels fitting for its subject.  But much of the material comes from publicly available footage, and while reliving her greatest moments is a thrill, the documentary rarely pulls back the curtain on the woman behind the performances.  You get the sense that the filmmakers, like Liza herself, are more interested in keeping the show going than dwelling on the struggles behind the scenes.

And that’s very much in line with how Minnelli has lived her life.  Raised in a world where personal battles were meant to be masked by sequins and show tunes, she’s spent decades sidestepping questions about her mother’s addictions, her father’s sexuality, and her own struggles with mental health and substance abuse.  She deflects with wit, humor, and an innate instinct to protect the audience from anything too heavy.  This film follows suit.  Some might argue that’s the point—that resilience is as much a part of Liza’s legacy as her artistry—but a more unguarded approach might have made for a richer, more affecting portrait.

That said, the film still carries emotional weight.  Watching Minnelli perform through the decades, her presence unwavering even as time takes its toll, is a reminder that true star power is innate and unteachable.  She is, and always has been, a performer first.  It’s beneficial to hear her process, especially around forming her Oscar-winning work in Bob Fosse‘s big-screen adaptation of Cabaret. And let’s not forget her sharp sense of humor—no Liza documentary would be complete without a few moments of her legendary sailor’s vocabulary and razor-sharp wit.

Liza: A Truly Terrific Absolutely True Story is a warm, celebratory tribute reaffirming her place among the greats.  But it also leaves room for the hope that one day, we’ll get a documentary willing to dig deeper—one that embraces both the dazzling highs and the hard-won battles of her extraordinary life.  Because as much as this film reminds us why we love Liza, a more intimate look at her struggles might have made us love her even more.  Still, for longtime fans and newcomers alike, it’s a worthy reminder of why she remains unquestionably one of a kind.  The only downside? It leaves you wanting more.

Photos Courtesy of Atlas Media Corp, A Zeitgeist Films Release in Association with Kino Lorber