Admit it: unless you’re an avid watcher of QVC (no judgment here), you probably only think of Joan Rivers at the mention of plastic surgery disasters. In Joan Rivers: A Piece of Work, the subject herself completely acknowledges that despite her long career as a comedienne, actress and writer, this may be all modern audiences know her for.
Noticing her plush, multimillion-dollar NYC penthouse and many assistants it is initially difficult for the audience to feel bad for the brash icon, but as Piece of Work develops into a psychological portrait, one sees an insecure, old woman who is almost addicted to working. Following Rivers through one year of her life as she turns 75, the film takes a behind-the-scenes look as she performs solo stand-up shows, presents her self-written auto-biographical play and appears on Celebrity Apprentice and Comedy Central Roast.
The documentary is well-paced, although at times it feels as if one is watching a reality show hobbled together with old footage. Adding to the reality show feel, friends and colleagues offer their commentary, but the poignancy of these interviews pales in comparison to that of Rivers discussing her own life on the way to a gig.
While this film isn’t a lighthearted look at a woman in standup by any stretch, Joan Rivers, after 44 years in the biz, is still able to crack off some pretty shocking and hilarious one-liners. Whether you should go see this film depends on whether you want to change your impression of Joan Rivers. Those who make her the butt of their jokes may suddenly find themselves deeply sympathizing with the person behind the punchline.
