Joan Rivers: A Piece of Work

R

Released Jun 11, 2010

1 hr. 24 min.

Documentary

Biography

Comedy

List

93%

108 Reviews

Tomatometer

82%

10,000+ Ratings

Audience Score

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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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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dave j

A close examination of infamous comedian, Joan Rivers both in terms of comedic and serious side.

Rated 3.5 out of 5 stars

03/30/23

Full Review

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

a z

Joan owned a swanky phone.

Rated 3 out of 5 stars

03/31/23

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

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Ricki Stern

Director

Annie Sundberg

Director

Joan Rivers

Actor

Jocelyn Pickett

Actor

Bill Sammeth

Actor

Larry A. Thompson

Actor

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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

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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
Executive Producer: Ricki Stern
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

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