MTV’s Miley Cyrus Documentary: What You Will (and Won’t) See

Miley Cyrus may be a hot mess but, by her own admission, she's "a strategic hot mess."

The same can be said for "Miley: The Movement," the one-hour documentary on the star premiering on MTV on Wednesday at 10 p.m. The network's cameras followed her around for four months this year leading up to (and including) the MTV Video Music Awards and preparations for the release of her debut RCA Records album, "Bangerz," on October 8.
Throughout the interview portion of the film, the 20-year-old star attempts to define this transitional period in her life – "The Movement," as she calls it – and, thankfully, she's not the only person trying to do so.

"The world thinks that they know this girl, but my thing to you is, don't be fooled," Pharrell Williams explains.

In order to help you not be fooled, we should point out that Miley's biggest co-star in the film isn't Williams or any of the other artists who make appearances, but its glaring absences. Here's the rundown on what to expect (or not) from the "Miley: The Movement":

.Miley and Liam Hemsworth

You won't see Liam Hemsworth. Miley and Liam's engagement was called off publicly on September 16, so you'd think he might pop up in the flesh or at least in conversation at some point over the course of the four months of shooting. Not so. In fact, as Miley sits in her home – the home she shared with the "Hunger Games" star – this omission begins to feel a bit like a gaping hole in the documentary. "We just decided to focus on the music and professional side," Dave Sirulnick, executive producer of the project and EVP of MTV News and Docs, said during a roundtable interview. "We were not doing a documentary about anything in her personal life." You will see Mike Will Made It. The producer Miley's been spotted with here, there, and everywhere lately is here, there, and everywhere in the footage. "The connection just started and then got crazier and better," she explains, calling their chemistry "magic" and pointing out that they put together her hit single, "We Can't Stop," that first day in the studio together. Later, the 24-year-old can be heard in a somewhat intimate phone call with the singer and posing all up close and personal-like with her.

You won't see Mike Will talk. While an intimacy between Miley and her producer is rather evident, don't expect the pair to confirm their relationship. In fact, don't expect Mike to talk much at all. He doesn't offer his two cents on the star's career or even so much as corroborate her claims about their chemistry.

You will see Pharrell Williams. And that's a good thing. He turns out to be the only other person talking about the singer's voice and talent, raving about her rendition of Dolly Parton's "Jolene." Fun fact: It was Williams who gave Miley the final green light to chop off her hair. "Figure out what you want to do and do it," he claims to have told her.

You will see Britney Spears. "I always said, 'I want one b---h on my record and that's Britney, b---h,'" Miley says. And sure enough, she got her way. We get to watch the pop princess in the studio and listen in as Cyrus cracks her up with her plans for a VMAs performance.

You won't see Will.i.am. much. The Black Eyed Peas member makes brief cameos at public appearances with Miley, but he doesn't so much as open his mouth. Or even look at the camera.


 

You will see Tish Cyrus. "My mom is my homie," Miley says. And her "homie" is one of the few additional interviews included.

You won't see Billy Ray Cyrus. In fact, he's mentioned so little, that if you're really looking for a dose of the "Achy, Breaky Heart" singer, you should probably just go re-read that Rolling Stone interview. "The pieces that we were shooting, he just wasn't there for," was the best explanation Sirulnick could offer. We'll just take his word for it and not assume it had anything to do with the country star's rocky relationship with his wife at the time they were filming.

You will see Miley's attention to detail. One of the highlights of the documentary is seeing the star as she approaches the red carpet and her plans for a grand entrance fall apart. It's obvious she cares deeply and has creative ideas, and when she steps out of her car and flips the switch from frustrated to energetic and happy, she proves she's a pro.

You won't see Robin Thicke. Despite all the conversation around the VMAs in the film, the "Blurred Lines" crooner doesn't offer a peep.

You will see Miley's sharp sense of humor. There's a great moment where she does her best Shakira impression. And we'll leave it at that.

Watch the trailer for "Miley: The Movement," airing on MTV on Wednesday, October 2, at 10 p.m.: