Review of Joan Rivers: A Piece of Work (2010) by Louis S — 03 Jul 2010

A piece of work - an obvious double meaning, right?! Referring to the plastic surgery, but also to her brashness. I would go a step further and say the title refers to her incredible career and work ethic.

Well made and skillfully edited. . . it is very funny and poignant as well. The humor is often raunchy and always hilarious, and the footage with her grandson is surprisingly touching. Rivers is one professional who simply can't quit, partly because she isn't ready to give up her fabulous lifestyle, and partly due to the fact that she hasn't run out of things to say.

But mostly (I think) because she absolutely loves it. While the film could have dug a bit deeper into some of the darker subjects, a lot is conveyed without belaboring the difficult issues. Definitely worth seeing.