The movie opens with
a shocking sequence. A woman, her mouth a mere slit, her face pasty and
lined, is about to be made up. The name of the movie could easily be
changed from "Joan Rivers: A Piece of Work," to "Joan Rivers: An Old
Woman Being Re-Created By Being Worked On, a Piece at a Time," as a
makeup artist labors over creating a person who looks 15-20 years
younger than the 77 she admits to carrying.
a shocking sequence. A woman, her mouth a mere slit, her face pasty and
lined, is about to be made up. The name of the movie could easily be
changed from "Joan Rivers: A Piece of Work," to "Joan Rivers: An Old
Woman Being Re-Created By Being Worked On, a Piece at a Time," as a
makeup artist labors over creating a person who looks 15-20 years
younger than the 77 she admits to carrying.
Ricki Stern and Anne
Sundberg, experienced filmmakers, obviously approached Rivers without
trembling. After making a film about atrocities in Darfur, an aging
comic would not be be considered a threat, no matter how much bad
language she uses. And she uses a lot.
Sundberg, experienced filmmakers, obviously approached Rivers without
trembling. After making a film about atrocities in Darfur, an aging
comic would not be be considered a threat, no matter how much bad
language she uses. And she uses a lot.
Like so many
comedians, Rivers is a driven, frightened woman, desperate to be amusing
in any situation. For a time, she was a national sensation, appearing
with Johnny Carson, the king, more than any other guest, and often
serving as a fill-in host when he was away. Everything ended overnight
when Rivers got her own show on another network. Carson, to his
discredit, never spoke to her again. She claims he also was instrumental
in keeping her off other NBC shows.
comedians, Rivers is a driven, frightened woman, desperate to be amusing
in any situation. For a time, she was a national sensation, appearing
with Johnny Carson, the king, more than any other guest, and often
serving as a fill-in host when he was away. Everything ended overnight
when Rivers got her own show on another network. Carson, to his
discredit, never spoke to her again. She claims he also was instrumental
in keeping her off other NBC shows.
The filmmakers
follow Rivers on the road, a series of interchangeable black limousines,
interchangeable hotels, nightclubs and halls. Like most comics when
they are not on television, she's amazingly blue in her subject matter
and her language. She's a non-stop talker on almost any subject, her
favorites being herself and her life. But her life seems to be a
continuing series of limousines and dirty jokes.
follow Rivers on the road, a series of interchangeable black limousines,
interchangeable hotels, nightclubs and halls. Like most comics when
they are not on television, she's amazingly blue in her subject matter
and her language. She's a non-stop talker on almost any subject, her
favorites being herself and her life. But her life seems to be a
continuing series of limousines and dirty jokes.
The film is
well-made, but it is like all the others about a singer, or a performer,
or a politician. If you like him, her or them, you'll like the movie.
If you don't, you won't, and there will be little to change your mind.
well-made, but it is like all the others about a singer, or a performer,
or a politician. If you like him, her or them, you'll like the movie.
If you don't, you won't, and there will be little to change your mind.
"Joan Rivers: a
Piece of Work," opens today at the Plaza Frontenac
Piece of Work," opens today at the Plaza Frontenac
–Joe