Review of Joan Rivers: A Piece of Work (2010) by Amy J — 17 Dec 2010

In the documentary, Joan Rivers: A Piece of Work, Rivers says: "I am a performer. That's what I am. That's it!" While I most definitely agree that the crass, brassy, ballsy, outspoken, shock-tart is a performer, A Piece of Work reveals that Ms.

Rivers is actually much more. The documentary is a year-in-the-life exploration of the infamously notorious comedienne as she approaches (and reaches) her 75th birthday! Joan opens up to the camera to tell it she is most happy in life on a stage .

.. and she has spent many a year upon one -- be it on television (where she got her early start with legend Johnny Carson), a small-time comedy hall or a grand auditorium. Rivers' career has had more up's and down's than than any roller coaster and she has endured it all -- and survived.

After an early start with Johnny Carson (who praised his young, talented protege and prognosticated her super-stardom) when the duo were on the best of terms, she was offered her very-own late night talkshow at a rival network which she accepted -- but Carson did not as she relates that he hung-up the phone during their conversation and he NEVER spoke to her again as he felt betrayed.

This is just the first of several downhill plunges the funny-lady found herself on and these recollections allowed for the hard-working, never-stopping, stoic Joan to open-up and appear all-too-human.

There are many clips of a young, pre-plastic surgery Joan (as her face is now as "famous" as she is) that remind everyone that Joan was The First and the one they still follow (such as the equally-offensive, D-lister, Kathy Griffin).

Rivers may have looked more sweet and innocent at one time; but she has always pushed boundaries, walked a fine line and never played it safe (even now at 75 as she won Donald Trump's Celebrity Apprentice!).

She is a remarkable speciman as she doesn't quit, she is always focused, she is loyal, she believes in honor and integrity and she is (oddly) motivational. Rivers reminds us that comedy has no limits and although she may offend some of the more-sensitive souls .

.. she tells us that without laughter, we -- like her -- would be nowhere.