Joan Rivers: A Piece of Work discusses a variety of themes — ageism, sexism, comedy, New York, Hollywood, and show business — with the hilarious, spunky, and provocative comedienne as the vehicle. The filmed documentary opens with Rivers today, performing at hole in the wall in New York City and then follows a year in the life of a “semi-legend.” From her original plays to Celebrity Apprentice to Comedy Central’s Roast to stand-ups across the country, the seventy-five year old woman, Rivers,  possesses energy, drive, and a genuine love for performance.

The non-linear narrative and rather recent footage from Rivers life does not offer the brute statistics on her life — we don’t learn the specifics of her childhood. Rather, the film focuses on her career: “the career,” an endless performance that Rivers is putting on for the world. Rivers always wanted to be an actress — a dream that was always slightly out of reach. In her youth, Rivers was not well-received on Broadway but recently had tried out a new play in Edinborough and London.  When that play, too, received lukewarm reviews, Rivers refused to bring the play to New York. It took a lot of sweat and energy, but alas, Rivers bounces back, doesn’t focus too long on what some may consider a “failure,” and is on to the next thing.

I think that her perseverance is one of Rivers’ most salient qualities — especially in the sexist world of comedy (remember when even Christopher Hitchens was all like,”Girls aren’t funny”?). She considers …

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