Coyote Prevails!

Rating: Null/10 (18 August 2000)

In the tradition of such movies as `Flashdance' and `Footloose', `Coyote Ugly' is surprisingly enlightening. At a glance `Coyote' is simply a down and dirty bar in New York where bartenders are scantly clad and perform as showgirls dancing on tabletops for a muster of drunken lovesick idiots. At least, that is what the trailer would have us believe. With an opening night slogan tainted as `The hottest night of the year!', I would expect nothing less. But unexpectedly I enjoyed the story overall. Newcomer Piper Perabo dazzles us with her sweet charm, good looks and convincing performance. She plays Violet, an aspiring songwriter, who moves from New Jersey to New York to pursue a dream in the music business. Not as a performer, but simply to write songs for other performers to sing. When times are hard, she lands a job as bartender at the hottest club in the fish-packing district. Only in the first half of the film must we endure the essential strippers with their clothes on scenario, and try to accept that Violet can tame the savage beast of a bar that is in total disarray, by simply grabbing a microphone, singing to a song, and have us believe that a star is being born. But as the story moves on, we do enjoy some rather good written music, as well as an endearing story taking place between a daughter and her father. (Played wonderfully by John Goodman) She also has a compassionate relationship with an Aussie played by another newcomer Adam Garcia. Adam is well suited for the roll, and though I felt like I was being a little rushed through there up and down relationship, I think he pulled it off quite nicely. Overall, I left the theatre feeling rather refreshed. Considering all the lame scripts we've had to stomach over the last few years, along with all the special effect mega crap flicks that Hollywood has been spoon-feeding us as of late, this movie has the ability to satisfy a wide audience. From drooling jocks, to trashy girl cosmetic feminists, to dear old dad. And even though we don't get to see nearly enough of my baby Tyra Banks, with a wonderful soundtrack, and a cast with good chemistry, `Coyote Ugly' delivers.