Rotten Tomatoes
Cancel Movies Tv shows RT App News Showtimes

Joan Rivers: A Piece of Work

Play trailer Poster for Joan Rivers: A Piece of Work R 2010 1h 24m Documentary Biography Comedy Play Trailer Watchlist
Watchlist Tomatometer Popcornmeter
92% Tomatometer 105 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.
Watch on AMC+ Stream Now

Where to Watch

Joan Rivers: A Piece of Work

Joan Rivers: A Piece of Work

What to Know

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.

Read Critics Reviews

Critics Reviews

View More
Candice Frederick Reel Talk Online 09/09/2017
B+
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. Go to Full Review
Max Weiss Baltimore Magazine 06/12/2016
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. Go to Full Review
Perri Nemiroff CinemaBlend 08/13/2010
4/5
If you think it's going to be as hilarious as a Joan Rivers standup routine, you're wrong. The self-mocking jokes are funny, but almost make you feel guilty for laughing. Go to Full Review
Danielle Solzman Solzy at the Movies May 14
3.5/5
In pulling back the curtain, Joan Rivers: A Piece of Work reveals the vulnerable side of a perfectionist, even if her brashness was polarizing for audiences. Go to Full Review
David Lamble Bay Area Reporter 06/10/2020
The filmmakers show what it's like for a female funny lady, whose private life is forever shadowed... Go to Full Review
Andy Dehnart Reality Blurred 03/25/2020
A
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. Go to Full Review
Read all reviews

Audience Reviews

View More
07/02/2018 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!!! See more 06/18/2018 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. See more 09/09/2015 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! See more 03/22/2015 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. See more 01/21/2015 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. See more 01/21/2015 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. See more Read all reviews
Joan Rivers: A Piece of Work

My Rating

Read More Read Less POST RATING WRITE A REVIEW EDIT REVIEW
Richard Pryor: Omit the Logic 86% 74% Richard Pryor: Omit the Logic Watchlist 95 Miles to Go 36% 60% 95 Miles to Go Watchlist The Original Kings of Comedy 82% 79% The Original Kings of Comedy Watchlist Grizzly Man 93% 85% Grizzly Man Watchlist Vince Vaughn's Wild West Comedy Show: 30 Days & 30 Nights - Hollywood to the Heartland 59% 50% Vince Vaughn's Wild West Comedy Show: 30 Days & 30 Nights - Hollywood to the Heartland Watchlist Discover more movies and TV shows. View More

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