Joan Rivers: A Piece Of Work

Not only is this about the funny Joan Rivers, but about how the industry works. I wanted to see more of her standup funny parts, but it's still good. You think Hollywood stars have it made. Think again. I loved to know the other side of the coin. She worked very hard in an industry that favors beauty. Miss her standup and her commentaries on Fashion Police. She had a mouth, that's for sure, but so did the other greats, like Phyllis Diller and Don Rickles whom she loved and mentioned on this video.

Joan Rivers passed away on September 4th, 2014 and for every person who held her in the highest regard as myself, this came as an altogether shock. If we will all take the time to listen and laugh at all she added to our lives (in particular this honest Blu-ray of her life), I feel it would be a tribute to an unreplaceable woman, a star in her own right and a woman, mother and grandmother that gave our lives so much humor, joy, and laughter. "A Piece of Work" shows Ms. Rivers with all her personality, her helpful nature while visiting, and talking with people in New York City and the love and drive she had for life. Joan Rivers was truly a pioneer for women in comedy and she will always be so missed."Can we talk?"... As Joan Rivers takes the stage in her own docudrama, you are immediately drawn into her private conversations. She boldly starts confronting the issues presented in her life; the comedy and love of performance that defined her while she stared at the empty spaces on her calendar's booking schedule. With an unshakable drive and a heavy focus on staying on top, Ms. Rivers gets right back into the game without batting an eye.She is discussing her life here, letting us know how she got her big break. That vehicle was 'The Tonight Show' Starring Johnny Carson. She took the opportunity to blow away the audience with new and fresh comedy and a special intention towards women and issues that mainly went unsaid, until then. She was brazen, honest, acerbic and so extremely funny that Carson promised her that she will "Be a star". Her injected pieces of stand-up bits are unapologetically raw, irreverent and hysterical...I have viewed this so often and still find something even bolder than the previous time."All stand-ups are innately insecure" adds her daughter, Melissa, to this discussion. Joan got down to the real nitty-gritty here and completely targeted her own emotional vulnerability. The issue is her husband's suicide, the crushing pain she was obviously still carrying, and her relationship with Melissa through all of this. When asked if she is angry, she counters, "If you're not angry about things then what are you talking about?".The ambitious workhorse that was Ms. Rivers would not tire. The pacing of the documentary and her own life is consuming as she takes on a city after another city and a gig after another gig. Joan asks for no apologies either, as another show is what drove her.Altogether shocking, altogether real, altogether Joan's "Piece of Work"...A true trailblazer; she will never be replaced nor forgotten.

I saw this movie when it first came out and was really surprised by how NOT funny it was. But it was not funny in a really good way. It featured the real Joan and who she was as a person. She's often just seen as a funny and brash comedienne, but she was 1,000 times bigger and better as a human being.This documentary brings up a lot of interesting things. For one, she says that no man had ever told her she was beautiful, not even her husband. She had a good marriage but he never said she was beautiful.She says that she was never anyone's first pick for anything in her life – always seconds. I find this inspirational because, despite never being "chosen" first, she accepted the offers and showed the world who she was. She didn't feel pretty, she didn't feel first, but she used what she had (a lot of smarts) and made lemonade out of the lemons. Big time. I always thought she was very attractive and had a lot of style.There are parts of this film that made me want to cry. She says at one point in the film that any time a car showed up for her to take her somewhere, she always said thank you and felt gratitude for what she was given in life. That is a poignant moment in the film. Joan was an extremely generous person and cared for everyone who came into her life. She paid her staff excellent salaries, put all of their children through school (including college) and covered all of their healthcare. Even after her death, Melissa is still taking care of these people, per Joan's wishes. She was a great lady.Melissa appears in the documentary but more briefly than expected. It is important to note that Joan raised a daughter who also embraces the same values and continues her mother's legacy. Between this documentary and the series, Joan and Melissa, I think you get a good picture of the kind of person Joan was, behind all of the jokes and gags.Joan was a rare celebrity who actually remembered from whence she came. She didn't have to die when she did. What a travesty.Definitely recommend.

If you're a Joan Rivers fan, you'll love this documentary. She insulted everyone equally and always nailed it. I still miss her.

This film is simple in concept. The makers followed Joan Rivers for a year, filming her every move as they went and these edited highlights give us a window into her life. It's far from being the most interesting doumentary I have ever seen but it left me with two strong memories. Firstly how driven Ms Rivers is and secondly finding out that this woman who works ceaselessly, who craves popularity and success, who to my eyes looks pretty good if a little like a "real doll" is 75 years old. If I have half her energy when I am that old I will be a happy man! It's absolutely astonishing to see a woman of that age depressed unless her diary is anything less than packed out (we are talking multiple appointments every day) at a time of her life when she should be taking it easy. Part of me admires her spirit, the other half of me feels that she should get some perspective. But ultimately if she gives people pleasure and enjoys what she is doing, who am I to comment.Worth a watch.

Joan Rivers was once just an innocent Jewish girl, growing up in Brooklyn, NY.Now she is the face of female comedy, and an undoubtable legend. Love her or hate her, Joan Rivers really is "A Piece of Work", in this documentary of her struggling to be taken seriously as an actress, whilst dealing with age, self-doubt and the pressures of staying on top in show business.The film is compelling right from the start, as Rivers applies her morning make-up ritual, then showing a short reel of her career. We are let into Rivers' life, with very little confidentiality.From her dazzling "how Marie Antoinette would've lived, if she'd had money" Manhattan apartment, to her time on Donald Trump's the Celebrity Apprentice. The film shows captivating shots of "the city that never sleeps" and Rivers going through tragedy, rejection, and talking to us of her past and career at the same time.She [Rivers] lets us into her daily schedule, the team which gets her on stage, the process of "Joan Rivers: A Life in Progress by A Work in Progress" and it's harsh reception to the London critics, and a lifestyle many desire to live. But it's not all been plain sailing for Joan, as she reveals her opinions on her husband's suicide, keeping on top at her age and dealing with competition and biting criticism.Rivers is a strong woman, a performer and a businesswoman, and an extremely talented woman, yet manages to keep a level head at the end of the day.Any Rivers fan must own this and to those who hate her, once you watch this, you'll stop hating for sure!

A delightful and honest peek into the current life of one of the planet's funniest people.An absolute must for all Joan Rivers fans.I recently met her in real life and can honestly say she is what she is. Funny, clever, gracious and incredibly hard working. She treats her fans like gold, which is good. Because we think she is a diamond !The DVD also has lots of extra scenes which is a real bonus.Super.

I loved this film from beginning to end. It is JUST perfect. It has excellent jokes and humor of course but at the same time depth and insight on life in the sense that without hard work and effort, you don't get to the level where Joan is. This is a fantastic woman who went though everything in life and still wants to laugh about it. She is an excellent example on how we should take life if we want to live long. If you love women and stand-up comedy, this is a must in your collection!

Having purchased tickets to see Joan at The Royal Albert Hall I was deeply saddened and disappointed that I would never see this amazing performer live. Though no DVDs will ever take the place of a live performance I am pleased I own this disc.