Margaret Cho - Notorious C.H.O. (2002)

84% of critics liked it
(68 reviews)
74% of users liked it
(2,801 ratings)

Margaret Cho is an NC-17 woman in a PG-13 world. Very, very little can be quoted from this concert film, as can be expected from a woman who, in the film's empowering conclusion, sounds the rallying cry to live "without restraint." Leave it to Cho to reference September 11 with a joke… More Margaret Cho is an NC-17 woman in a PG-13 world. Very, very little can be quoted from this concert film, as can be expected from a woman who, in the film's empowering conclusion, sounds the rallying cry to live "without restraint." Leave it to Cho to reference September 11 with a joke that is at once profane and respectful. Like Richard Pryor, the Korean-American outlaw comedian has found her niche with concert films that allow her the freedom to be her "actual self." She riffs unabashedly about relationships gone sour and relates her experiences as a sexual Captain Kirk, boldly going where she has never gone before. Notorious, yes, but not as accessible for the uninitiated as her last concert film, I'm the One That I Want, which recounted the rise and fall of her ill-fated sitcom. The faithful, though, won't pass up the chance for a private audience with the diva of the disenfranchised. --Donald Liebenson

Directed By: Lorene Machado
Genres: Comedy

In Theaters: Jun 28, 2002 Wide
On DVD: Nov 19, 2002
Studio: Wellspring

Critic Reviews

Roger Moore, Orlando Sentinel
This is hardly big-screen stuff.
Connie Ogle, Miami Herald
Has enough laughs to make it worthwhile for Cho's most devoted fans.
Tom Sime, Dallas Morning News
Preserves some indelible new routines.
Michael O'Sullivan, Washington Post
A raunchy and frequently hilarious follow-up to the gifted Korean American stand-up's I'm the One That I Want.
Ann Hornaday, Washington Post
A movie that will surely be profane, politically charged music to the ears of Cho's fans.
Rob Gonsalves, eFilmCritic.com
Cho's impressions of her mom are legendary among fans, and for good reason.
Paul Matwychuk, Vue Weekly (Edmonton, Canada)
Notorious C.H.O. made me laugh as long and hard as any movie I've seen this year.
Nathaniel Rogers, Film Experience
If you can stomach her often escalating vulgarity, you'll laugh and laugh hard.
Jeff Vice, Deseret News, Salt Lake City
When the material is funny, it's extremely funny.
Sean Means, Salt Lake Tribune
She can be funny even when she gets on her soapbox.
Phil Villarreal, Arizona Daily Star
Cho's bisexuality supplies her with double ammo when making sex jokes, which are her specialty.
Jeffrey Bruner, Des Moines Register
Cho's fearless in picking apart human foibles, not afraid to lay her life bare in front of an audience. Her delivery and timing are flawless.
Jon Popick, Planet Sick-Boy
Much less dark than her previous theatrical effort.
David N. Butterworth, Movie Boeuf
Less structured and, as a result, funnier than Margaret's first!
Frank Swietek, One Guy's Opinion
The level of comic invention is surprisingly low, and the resultant amusement spotty at best.
Frank Ochieng, Movie Eye
Cho is one amusing caustic storyteller. Sharply hilarious and brimming with heart-rendering frankness, Cho exposes herself through the raw observations of the engagingly cheeky comedy concert film Notorious C.H.O....a fearless showcase that's smart
Cherryl Dawson and Leigh Ann Palone, TheMovieChicks.com
Topics that could make a sailor blush - but lots of laughs.
Gemma Tarlach, Milwaukee Journal Sentinel
As hilarious as it is raunchy.
Sean Burns, Philadelphia Weekly
It's hard to quibble with a flick boasting this many genuine cackles, but Notorious C.H.O. still feels like a promising work-in-progress.
Elias Savada, Nitrate Online
There's never a dull moment here. Notorious C.H.O. is a Genuine R.I.O.T.

Read all 22 critic reviews

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Featured Audience Ratings

Cassandra M

Margaret Cho is raunchy. Not a bad thing necessarily especially since she is so extraordinarily honest about herself and the observations she makes about sex, relationship, family and self-love (yes, both kinds). The Notorious C.H.O. is more of a platform for her call to arms for… More
Margaret Cho is raunchy. Not a bad thing necessarily especially since she is so extraordinarily honest about herself and the observations she makes about sex, relationship, family and self-love (yes, both kinds). The Notorious C.H.O. is more of a platform for her call to arms for tolerance and living without fear. She touches on the attack on New York and at the time of the taping was probably one of the first jokes made after 9/11. And she campaigns for all people who are minorities whether based on race, sexual orientation, body type, social status, etc. to stop believing in all the ad campaigns and prejudices and start loving themselves to hilarious effect. Unfortunately, this doesn't come close to the bravery of I'm The One That I Want. No where in Notorious does she come close to the depth of soul-searching and honest reflection of herself as she did in I'm The One, which in itself is a hard act to follow. Notorious C.H.O. is more frivolity and less substance, but that's just fine this time around. With all the chaos in the world that Cho mentions it's wonderful to just sit back and have someone this talented keep you stitches for 90 minutes.
John B

I'm glad that Margaret Cho has faded away. It is amazing how she was able to recycle one decent set into two feature films and healthy paydays doing stand up shows across the country. Cho certainly received the benefit of being one of the first to be the comedic "hag"… More
I'm glad that Margaret Cho has faded away. It is amazing how she was able to recycle one decent set into two feature films and healthy paydays doing stand up shows across the country. Cho certainly received the benefit of being one of the first to be the comedic "hag" to her gay audience and the novelty pushed her to grand levels in my appearance. Destined to be a footnote in history.
Sunil J

A glorious sexually charged stand up that cracks you up til you hurt.
Leo L

Brilliant!

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Margaret Cho

Margaret Cho - Notorious C.H.O. (2002)

Critic Reviews

Featured Audience Ratings

Cassandra M

John B

Sunil J

Leo L

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