| The material in Margaret Cho’s new concert film was inspired in part by the women of hip-hop, whose fierce style and unapologetic swagger the comedian admires. She’s cited Eve and Lil’ Kim as specific heroines; it’s too bad (and painfully ironic) that the much sliced-and-diced Kim hasn’t actually learned the lessons of self-love and acceptance that Cho has made the heart of her raunchy, hilarious standup. As in her cult hit, I’m the One That I Want, she comments on sex, drugs, family and the detritus of pop culture with both lacerating wit and generosity of heart. And she’s never less than fearless in her marriage of politics and biting humor, whether riffing on the sexuality of her parents (featured in this film, beaming with pride and taking it on the chin), her forays into lesbian S&M (“I need a woman who looks like John Goodman”) or the sap that flows thickly around 9/11 (“I went to Ground Zero to do my part - giving blowjobs to rescue workers”). There are fewer laugh-out-loud moments than in I’m the One, and one or two of the new bits actually fall flat, but the film benefits greatly from a less manic tone than its predecessor, as Cho appears to have settled comfortably into her skin. When she unabashedly puts herself in the same category as Richard Pryor (the master of identity politics and cultural reportage), it’s not just presumptuous posturing on her part. She’s earned her place there. (Nuart; June 28-July 13) |