MovieChat Forums > Joan Rivers: A Piece of Work (2010) Discussion > The Unfunny Life of Joan Rivers

The Unfunny Life of Joan Rivers

posted 13 years ago by Mintie8632
3 replies | jump to latest

By the end, I felt was mild pity. Not compassion exactly, because I didn't find Rivers likable enough for that, but pity certainly. Is that what Rivers expected us to feel? If so, it reinforces what she admits to so shamelessly all through the film: she'll take any attention, even negative attention, over being ignored. Melissa summed it all up when she referred to her mother, and indeed most stand-up comics, as "damaged." Too bad she couldn't or wouldn't tell us more about her mother's childhood and parents. It would have made this modestly interesting film all the more worthwhile to watch.

[–] WarpedRecord 9 years ago

She certainly did come across as bitter and angry, but that's how she came across in real life. My main problem with this film is it felt very staged, much like "reality" television. It's moderately entertaining but ultimately feels a bit empty. 7/10 stars from me.

[–] shoutingagain 9 years ago

yeah, bitter, angry...unfortunately, immensely unfunny (never laughed at her tearing others or herself down). Where did she learn that insults pass for laughs? Truthfully, she seems to have been rabid with insults because it came naturally to her. We do what we know.

My guess is that she was naturally a mean, insecure & selfish person (one who likely led her poor husband to suicide).. it's transparent in anything she had done.
The fact some people LIKED her just tells us more about our world, in truth.

As ugly inside as she certainly was on the outside.
She could surgically alter herself entirely, as she clearly dared to, but you can't change ugly. Not really.

Pitiful is all I think when her name is mentioned.
And LOUD. Loud, obnoxious NY Jew (yeah, go 'head...cast me antisemitic for stating the obvious. Of course, I am not, it simply is what it is. I'd say the same if any race or ethnicity, first & foremost my own, so no disgrace in calling things what they ARE!).

[–] LetThemEatCake01 9 years ago

She used to be nice back in the Carson days, something definitely happened afterwards, her comedy was totally different and totally disgusting.