Big Buzz: Attack of the killer Culicidae

An article in the British Guardian newspaper recently claimed “U.S. celebrities use reality cinema to fight power of gossip bloggers,” noting that the release of the documentary Joan Rivers: A Piece of Work will be closely followed by films focused on Carrie Fisher and Billy Joel. In the world of journalism three is, they say, a trend, but this new genre of moviemaking would be better evidenced if Lindsey Lohan or Mel Gibson were to open their doors to a camera crew.
The reality format is fascinating, and feeds human curiosity in a far healthier way than the grocery store tabloid route. In A Piece of Work, Rivers sets a high standard, doling out thought-provoking insights and self-analysis with such plain honesty that it is, at times, grueling to watch. She displays her relationship with her daughter, the enduring impact of the suicide of her husband over twenty years ago and her daily round of neuroses. Yet this whole person is much more interesting than anything we can create, more intriguing than her media persona. It’s easy to see how frustrating it would be dealing with decades of over-simplified and lazy public opinion that berates you for being angry, outspoken, female and old.