Of my circle of friends, I’m not only the biggest, but the only confirmed Moody Blues freak. Getting a buddy of mine over to watch Night at Red Rocks was an awesome experience, and I’ve always loved the joy in the eyes of audience members who’ve clearly spent years hearing songs that have touched them in some way. That said, it’s important you know I’m not what you’d call a big Liza Minnelli follower, so when a concert movie shot last year showed up to review, I’m pretty sure you have an idea as to what I was sensing.
One of the stills on the back gave me a sense that the… seasoned Ms. Minnelli would have something less of a spring in her step this time out. And I was right; Liza sometimes doesn’t even seem to know where she is, or what’s around her. Most of the way through, she seems to be in an exhausted daze, until the last few songs when it’s a wonder she can even stand on her feet, let alone pull off her steps. It’s an impressive feat for a woman who’s put on a few pounds and been on a few benders over the years, and much of her between-song vaudevillian comedy routines reflect how proud she is to still be doing what she loves, regardless of how it might look from afar. Her clearly devoted fans, as well, are often misty-eyed. And check out Alan Cumming.
Some numbers are pulled off better than others, most notably the finale, "New York, New York". But sadly, Liza doesn’t sound that good most of the time. I can hear that collagen sound on all her S’s, and it’s actually somehow more maddening than her clear lack of balance and confidence when she’s dancing. At the end of the first act (This concert has acts, so you know [it’s a long, long show]), she performs "Cabaret", a big jolly show of a song, but it’s just totally underwhelming. Yes, it’s oftentimes a beautiful thing to see an icon of a performer in their twilight years try and put on the show they were doing a few decades prior… and honestly, if you’ve grown to love Liza over any substantial length of time, you might very well be moved. Some of the jokes and stories she doesn’t wreck the payoffs for make me respect her in a way, but the audience response to one punchline in particular was quite evidently out of pity.
On the filmic side of things, I’m really not all that impressed. Too few cameras, too little cutting to keep the energy up (when it needs to be), and this may sound cruel, but not enough razzle-dazzle. It’s all shot pretty boringly. But then again, I can’t remember the last time I saw a Liza Minnelli performance in a film, let alone on a stage, so if there’s any divine subtlety in the direction, echoing ghosts of the past, I’m not all that keen on them, and I apologize.
Picture and sound are no real problem. It looks like it was shot pretty cheap, and to be honest it would’ve been better with less gloss and light. I wouldn’t think that, save for the close-ups on her eyes. That blank stare just ruins the magic when seen up close. Still though, the DVD looks and sounds fine for what it is.
DVD Bonus Features
The only extra on the disc is a bit between Liza and the Director/Choreographer, Ron Lewis. Sweet. There’s not all that much left for me to say. I liked some aspects of the show and disliked others. Most die-hard fans will probably pick the disc up regardless of any negatives I’ve spouted off. At the end of the day, I’d probably be giving the film a 10, were I that big on Liza. If that’s what you are, take my recommendation.
"Liza's at the Palace" is on sale February 2, 2010 and is rated NR. Concert-Film. Directed by Ron Lewis. Starring Liza Minnelli.
