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Joan Rivers: A Piece of Work

Play trailer Poster for Joan Rivers: A Piece of Work R Released Jun 11, 2010 1h 24m Documentary Biography Comedy Play Trailer Watchlist
Watchlist Tomatometer Popcornmeter
92% Tomatometer 106 Reviews 82% Popcornmeter 10,000+ Ratings
This revealing documentary follows the life and career of Joan Rivers, a veteran comedienne arguably more known for her extensive plastic surgery than for her talent. The film explores her early years in the comedy industry and touches on her longtime professional relationship with Johnny Carson, who is one of many celebrities featured, along with George Carlin, Phyllis Diller, Kathy Griffin and Rivers' own daughter and frequent screen partner, Melissa Rivers.

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Joan Rivers: A Piece of Work

Joan Rivers: A Piece of Work

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Critics Consensus

Penetrating Rivers' coarse image, this compelling documentary offers an honest, behind-the-scenes look at her career -- and at show business in general.

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Critics Reviews

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Candice Frederick Reel Talk Online A Piece of Work is a refreshing look at a reluctant legend, one who's still using all her might to break barriers for the rest of us to get a real kick out of. Rated: B+ Sep 9, 2017 Full Review Max Weiss Baltimore Magazine You will leave this film remembering that Joan Rivers is one very funny woman (albeit a vulgar one). You will also see her as a woman of great strength, a true show biz survivor. Jun 12, 2016 Full Review Alan Sepinwall HitFix Rated: F Jan 22, 2013 Full Review David Lamble Bay Area Reporter The filmmakers show what it's like for a female funny lady, whose private life is forever shadowed... Jun 10, 2020 Full Review Andy Dehnart Reality Blurred In the documentary (watch the trailer), we see a fascinatingly complex person who's sometimes funny, sometimes awful, always entertaining even when she's unlikeable. Rated: A Mar 25, 2020 Full Review David Harris Spectrum Culture A Piece of Work may very well restore her reputation as one funny lady rather than the shrill plastic surgery nightmare she fears she's become. Rated: 3.5/5 Oct 24, 2019 Full Review Read all reviews

Audience Reviews

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Audience Member Great film documenting one of comedy’s great female comics!!! I love all the intimate scenes the audience got to see with her family, employees, and fans!!! Rated 5 out of 5 stars 07/02/18 Full Review Audience Member As a person who has never been a Joan Rivers fan, much less a Joan-and-Melissa Rivers fan, this documentary of a year in the life of the most irritating comedienne on the planet is surprisingly, uhm, UN-irritating. Joan is the most human I've ever seen her and, like the movie Comedian by Jerry Seinfeld showed, the makeup of a comedian is rooted in insecurity and a sad, self-loathing existence that they feel trapped in. I'd never related why we saw George Burns, Sid Caesar, Milton Berle, etc. continuing to publicly perform their comedy until near-death. We still see it in people like Don Rickles and, as is painfully displayed here, Joan Rivers. On one hand, the viewer has to admire her raw talent and endless drive, but on the other hand, one wants to just hug her and say, "uhm...go retire. Go do something you've always wanted to do." That's just it, though. She IS what she's created. And that IS what she wants to do, even as each year looks sadder and sadder. She owns her existence, though, and while even aware of its flaws, she continues to power through. If you've seen her honest dialogue with Louie this past season and was moved by the honesty of it, this documentary will blow you away. Rated 4 out of 5 stars 01/16/23 Full Review Audience Member The life of a comic is tough as it is for any comedienne but this is the perfect example of how ruthless the entertainment industry is on ageing women, no matter how legendary or how much they have already achieved. A pretty honest account of a year in the life of Rivers that plays too safely with her personal life. Was she hungry for work or was it the fame? No mercy from the film makers as they show her unquenchable thirst and dedication for one, the other, or maybe both. RIP darling! Rated 3.5 out of 5 stars 02/25/23 Full Review Audience Member never a huge fan of her humour but admired her pace. poor thing was so scared to rest. a shame she lost her life "early" but she had nothing to be ashamed of. Rated 4 out of 5 stars 01/18/23 Full Review Audience Member Excelente documental que nos muestra la vida de esta mujer pionera en el "Stand Up Comedy" y que nunca paró de trabajar y de hacer reír con su brillante ingenio. Joan Rivers fue más que la "viejita" de "Fashion Police": ella fue una tormenta de talento. Rated 4.5 out of 5 stars 01/25/23 Full Review Audience Member Excelente documental que nos muestra la vida de esta mujer pionera en el "Stand Up Comedy" y que nunca paró de trabajar y de hacer reír con su brillante ingenio. Joan Rivers fue más que la "viejita" de "Fashion Police": ella fue una tormenta de talento. Rated 4.5 out of 5 stars 01/24/23 Full Review Read all reviews
Joan Rivers: A Piece of Work

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Cast & Crew

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Movie Info

Synopsis This revealing documentary follows the life and career of Joan Rivers, a veteran comedienne arguably more known for her extensive plastic surgery than for her talent. The film explores her early years in the comedy industry and touches on her longtime professional relationship with Johnny Carson, who is one of many celebrities featured, along with George Carlin, Phyllis Diller, Kathy Griffin and Rivers' own daughter and frequent screen partner, Melissa Rivers.
Director
Ricki Stern, Annie Sundberg
Producer
Ricki Stern, Seth Keal, Annie Sundberg
Screenwriter
Ricki Stern
Distributor
IFC Films
Production Co
Break Thru Films
Rating
R (Sexual Humor|Language)
Genre
Documentary, Biography, Comedy
Original Language
English
Release Date (Theaters)
Jun 11, 2010, Limited
Release Date (Streaming)
Dec 5, 2016
Box Office (Gross USA)
$2.9M
Runtime
1h 24m
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