Movie #97- "Joan Rivers: A Piece of Work" (2010)

Joan Rivers is a comedy icon.  This is a woman who has been performing since the 1960s.  Besides her stand-up work, Rivers has worked as a writer, actor, and director.  Unlike several female comics of the time, she did not rely on a gimmick for her act.  Yet, at 80 years old, Rivers will not rest on her laurels and go quietly into the night.  Rivers appears to work harder than many one third her age.  For her, one of the biggest fears in an empty calendar page.  So goes the life of Joan Rivers.
" A Piece of Work" plunges into the life of Rivers when the comic was a mere 75 years old.  She maintains a lavish lifestyle, which explains part of the work load.  No gig is apparently too small for Rivers, taking a "work is work" approach to her career.  Watching Rivers speak about her career, you get a sense that she still feels like an underdog.  However, many of her peers speak during the course of the film about her influence and their appreciation of her work.
Comedy is very subjective.  One's enjoyment of the movie rests solely on your ability to handle that style.  Rivers can be abrasive and off-putting to some.  "A Piece of Work" gave me an added respect for her, because as depicted here, Rivers is not afraid to let the cameras roll and let comments spill out of her.  She talks about her husband's suicide, the loss of communication with Carson, "Celebrity Apprentice", and one scene featuring a heckler.  I've never fully understood an audience member yelling their displeasure of a joke or humor at a performer.  If you're a paying customer, you should have some idea of the act you're seeing (granted, alcohol can be part of the equation).
Some archival footage is included, but most of the film centers on Joan in the now.  Her thoughts, her jokes, her life.  Hold on for the ride.

Rating: 8/10
Movies I've previously seen: 6
First time viewings: 91