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Joan Rivers: A Piece of Work Review

Movies.com Critics

4.0

Dave White Profile

Not ready to make nice. Read full review

Other Critics provided by Metacritic.com

Critics scores range from 0 to 100, with higher scores indicating more favorable reviews.

  • 4.0
    79

    out of 100

    Metascore®
    Generally favorable reviews
    based on a weighted average of all
    critic review scores.

  • 100

    out of 100

    Entertainment Weekly Owen Gleiberman

    She's a teller of hilarious gutbucket truths as surely as Lenny Bruce and Richard Pryor ever were. Yet while they were consumed by their demons, Rivers is just the opposite.

    Read Full Review

  • 80

    out of 100

    Los Angeles Times Betsy Sharkey

    She is by turns blue, bitter, hilarious, unbroken; a Hollywood-style portrait in infinite ambition. In that role, Rivers is unforgettable.

    Read Full Review

  • 80

    out of 100

    Variety Dennis Harvey

    Mixing hilarious standup footage with admiring if not exactly cuddlesome behind-the-scenes glimpses.

    Read Full Review

  • 80

    out of 100

    The Hollywood Reporter John DeFore

    A highly entertaining documentary revealing a serious talent behind the one-note present-day reputation.

    Read Full Review

  • 80

    out of 100

    Wall Street Journal Joe Morgenstern

    What she thinks of herself, though, seems perfectly, if improbably, reasonable--a queen of comedy who won't and shouldn't abdicate.

    Read Full Review

  • 88

    out of 100

    Chicago Sun-Times Roger Ebert

    Fascinating and has a lot of laughs in it.

    Read Full Review

  • 90

    out of 100

    The New York Times Manohla Dargis

    This convulsively funny movie takes an up-close and sometimes queasy-personal approach to its motormouth subject, who, when she's not making you howl with laughter (or freeze up in horror), brandishes her deeply held hurts, fears, prejudices, poor judgment and bad taste as if they were stigmata.

    Read Full Review

  • See all Joan Rivers: A Piece of Work reviews at Metacritic.com

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Fan Reviews provided by

Average Rating: 3.58
Read all reviews Write a review at Fandango
5

A great story about Joan and her life. She is a fighter. by buffetfan1102
If you love Joan you will love the movie. It deals with the true and real Joan and how she fights to stay alive in todays entertainment world. Go Joan.

5

I loved it by partav
a very candid look at the life and times of Joan. Part funny, part tragic, part sad

4

Joan Rivers by hbruce257
Enjoyable Entertainment

5

Five Word Review by mrtricky
Interesting Revealing Provocative Triumphant Bittersweet

5

LOVED it!! by LaurenApril
I was so incredibly entertained from beginning to end of this film! Joan Rivers is fascinating, inspiring, talented, and a delight to watch! I only wish this film were longer since I was sad when it was over! ;p LOVED IT!!! Sooo funny and entertaining!!! :) Joan Rivers is awesome!

5

Run, Don't Walk to "Joan Rivers A Piece of Work" by Robin movietix
Hilarious! Extremely raw, real docu about the Queen of Comedy. Sad and touching at moments, very entertaining indeed.

5

Five Word Review
Surprisingly touching and worth seeing!

Read all Joan Rivers: A Piece of Work reviews at Fandango
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