Joan Rivers: A Piece of Work

United States

2010

84 Min

Color

1.78:1

English

Currently 3.7/5 Stars.
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DIR Ricki Stern, Annie Sundberg

PROD Annie Sundberg, Seth Keal

CAST Joan Rivers, Melissa Rivers, Kathy Griffin, Don Rickles, Larry A. Thompson, Phyllis Diller, Donald Trump

SOUND Seth Keal

Sundance (US Documentary Competition): Documentary Film Editing Award, Tribeca (Spotlight), San Francisco (Big Nights)

This exposé chronicles the private dramas of irreverent, legendary comedian and pop icon Joan Rivers as she fights tooth and nail to keep her American dream alive. The film offers a rare glimpse of the comedic process and the crazy mixture of self-doubt and anger that often fuels it. A unique look inside America’s obsession with fame and celebrity, Joan’s story is both an outrageously funny journey and brutally honest look at the ruthless entertainment industry, the trappings of success, and the ultimate vulnerability of the first queen of comedy.

Being able to break through Rivers’s self-made façade is a tribute to filmmakers Ricki Stern and Annie Sundberg. It is obvious the magic of this film is the inherent trust between filmmakers and subject. Shot over the course of a year, the film enlists a resilient cinema vérité style to craft a moving look at this iconic performer, stripping away her comedy masks and laying bare the truth of her life and inspiration. —Sundance Film Festival

Liam Peters

30Nov11

A straight-forward but completely engrossing documentary about the legendary comedian that reveals far greater depths than one might initially suspect. The film works because Rivers is willing to be as upfront and open as she can be, revealing the history behind her marriage and husband's death as well as her inherent desire to be constantly at play. It's the little moments that show the real human behind the facade.

msmichel

2Nov11

Was amazed at the veracity of this woman. 75 years old and treating her career with the determination of a 20 year old. Fascinating warts and all potrayal in yet another chapter in River's life. Candid, honest, uncompromising; traits I would admire in anyone. Wasn't expecting much from this (really thought it would be a puff piece) and was so pleasantly surprised. Baadassss grandparent indeed.