Joan Rivers: A Piece of Work

Movies Reviews
Joan Rivers: A Piece of Work

Release Date: Out now (limited)
Directors: Ricki Stern and Annie Sundberg
Cinematographer: Charles Miller
Studio: Break Thru Films

A piece of work, indeed

A tribute to the art of tireless showbiz hustling, Joan Rivers: A Piece of Work charts a year in the life of the famous comedienne as she attempts, for the umpteenth time, to reenergize her multifaceted career. Directors Ricki Stern and Annie Sundberg’s doc is an unquestionable piece of promotion on Rivers’ behalf, and a successful one at that, detailing not only her firebrand button-pushing attitude and fierce work ethic, but also the narrow boundary between her public persona and private personality. As in her anything-goes stand-up routines, Rivers holds nothing back in discussing her plastic surgery and her advanced age, a candor that contributes to the impression of an artist driven by an insecure, desperate, focused desire to persevere. Detailing her success as a jokester, actress, red carpet diva, author and reality TV star, this film—like her famously enhanced face—proves a witty, inspiring portrait of a life in constant reinvention.

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