CriticSociety- film reviews

Review

Coyote Ugly

Director

David McNally

Year

2000

Rating

Reviewed by

José Ruiloba a.k.a. Morris

Review date

Tuesday, October 17, 2000

I know, I know, any serious movie fan, after seeing the trailer and the ads, couldn’t possibly care less about this movie. Put me on that list. But then, suddenly, I ended up being in a situation where there was no other choice but to see it. “It can’t be that bad”, I told myself over and over again. Besides, going to the movies isn’t precisely something I put resistance to, so there I was. The shocking fact about this is how much I ended up liking the movie. Call it a guilty pleasure. What we are sold is the idea that this movie is about chicks dancing in some bar called “Coyote Ugly”. I mean, they look great, but that’s not something that makes a good movie on its own. Or, is it?

What this movie really is consists of a great old fashioned Cinderella-like romantic story and the eternal message of not giving up to our dreams, ever. Violet (Piper Perabo) is an innocent girl from New Jersey. She is determined to go to New York and become a famous songwriter. And so she does. Of course, it ain’t that easy, so soon Violet starts to realize she has to find something else to do. By a series of events, she ends up being a “coyote” at this bar. This happens as she has just met Kevin (Adam Garcia), an Australian guy with whom she soon starts a relationship. Lots of things happen. Violet hates to be on stage, but she has to. Kevin tries to help her and the way the story unfolds seems like magic.

I’m not calling this a classic. It has its quibbles. But it accomplishes what it wants to, and for that we should give it some credit. The love story seemed specially great to me. He is willing to do anything for her, but is she up to it? How can people manage to leave their lives behind and go for true love? A story that elevates our feelings and sets the right tune.

None of this could have been accomplished if it wasn’t for the amazing songs that play along the movie. They are simply great. Besides, the performances by the two stars of this movie are really something to look at. Piper Perabo and Adam Garcia are both real finds. They both seem talented and exude the kind of charisma that many spend their whole lives trying to accomplish. We’ll have to keep an eye on them, cause they seem to be here to stay. So anyway, John Goodman, Maria Bello, Tyra Banks and the rest of the cast all have their moments and they all bring something extra to t he movie. An enjoyable, highly entertaining ride.


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