Joan Rivers: A Piece of Work

With the iconic comedienne's consent, independent filmmakers Ricki Stern and Annie Sundberg spent 14 months with Joan Rivers during her 76th year. “If I had invested wisely, I wouldn't be doing this,” says Rivers, who admits to being a driven person and a workaholic. “Let me show you fear,” Rivers adds, indicating an empty date book. Noting that she'll accept most gigs simply because she needs the money to maintain the ultra-luxurious Manhattan lifestyle to which she's become accustomed, Rivers flies off to Wisconsin and Minnesota to play to small crowds, peddles jewelry on QVC, considers doing an ad for penis enlargement pills, and prepares for her upcoming appearance on Donald Trump's reality competition show Celebrity Apprentice. Born Joan Alexandra Molinsky, she was once best-known as Johnny Carson's first guest-host on his NBC show—until he cut her dead after she accepted an offer to do an ill-fated late-night talk show on the Fox network. Since then, Rivers has weathered the tough times—especially after the 1987 suicide of her husband, Edgar Rosenberg—continuing to soldier on with her daughter Melissa at her side. “I AM a performer,” Rivers concludes. “When I am onstage, it is the only time I am truly happy.” Offering an insightful, reflective look at Rivers' endearing vulnerability and utter dependence on the approval of others—even as she desperately clings to the remaining shreds of her youthful vitality—this is recommended. (S. Granger)