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Reviews
Margaret Cho: Notorious C.H.O. (2002)
Hilarious, edgy concert film works
Margaret Cho broke a boundary when she became the first Asian or person of Asian heritage to have a lead in an American network sitcom and she does it again in her new concert film "The Notorious Cho." Whether it's her trip to an S&M club, her talking about getting carpal tunnel and t.m.j. at the same time (no I won't tell you how!), or a certain act involving a short lesbian, you may be taken by surprise. Her no holds barred act reminds me of the Richard Pryor concert film "Live on The Sunset Strip" as there is an element of danger in both as you never know where they may go next. Nothing is off limits. Anthrax, menstruation, her "assistance" at ground zero and the act with the short lesbian all walk a find line that may challenge the comfort zone of some. Margaret's 90 minute bawdy, no holds barred stand up routine is a riot and manages to shock at times but also can be touching. You will laugh as she describes her drag queen best friends in high school who perform on a counter top at an ice cream shop and wince as you laugh later as she describes how they have become her guardian angels in death.
Her parents are interviewed early in the film and beam with pride at their daughter's accomplishments. Fans of hers know that her impression of her mother is one of her funniest and most memorable characters and may think her candid impressions may not be appreciated by her Korean born mother. It does not appear to be the case and like any mother with a wildly talented and successful child, she is both proud and thankful. So thankful, Margaret reports, that she has been known to go into the bathrooms at venues and thank patrons for attending! Jim Carrey is know for his masterful contorted "rubber face" comedic expressions, but Margaret is his equal. Her hunched and twisted expressions are an integral part of the act as are her masterfully timed reactions. No one is better. From her self reported days as a youth dreaming about show biz and perhaps, becoming an extra on "MASH," to her stage incarnation as the one and only asian american, queerish, woman who has battled eating disorders, she provides a voice that is unique and very funny in the seemingly ever whitening, think the WB network, entertainment world.
Opening Friday August 2nd in Boston at the Landmark Kendall Square