Coyote Ugly (2000) User Reviews

Insubstantial but highly entertaining

[FlickJunkie-2 · 7/10 · 22 February 2001]

Producer Jerry Bruckheimer seems to have an innate sense of what makes money in cinema. He seldom makes a film that isn't profitable and has numerous blockbusters on his resume over the past 30 years (American Gigolo, Flashdance, Beverly Hills Cop, Top Gun, The Rock, Con Air, Armageddon). Bruckheimer is a populist producer. He is more concerned with giving audiences what they want than he is about producing films of any artistic value or substance. In that regard, `Coyote Ugly' fits right in.

This film is energetic, entertaining, scintillating and fun to watch. The story is "Flashdance" lite, and is reminiscent of the popular but vacuous `Cocktail' with Tom Cruise, only with a decent plot woven in. Violet Sanford (Piper Perabo) is a young aspiring songwriter who leaves South Amboy, New Jersey traveling to New York City to be discovered. When things don't go as planned, she takes a job as a bartender in a raucous singles bar where the sexy female bartenders dance provocatively on the bar to the shrieks of the rowdy patrons below. Of course, there is a love story to go along with the quest for fame, completing the populist formula.

Bruckheimer defies the conventional Hollywood big budget approach by using an ensemble cast of veritable unknowns and a first time director. Other than John Goodman in a minor role, and supermodel Tyra Banks who hasn't done much acting, most of the actors have extremely short resumes. This gives the film a freshness and energy that comes from the cast's exhilaration at just being on the set.

Piper Perabo is an incredible find. She is not simply acting in this film, but living the role. Just like her character Violet, this film is her big break so her ability to understand the character and the role is implicit (another stroke of Bruckheimer genius). Perabo is an excellent actor with tremendous ability and potential. It is likely that this film will be the launch pad for a bright career. Maria Bello also gives a fabulous performance as Lil, the tough and successful owner of the nightclub. Australian actor Adam Garcia has great chemistry with Perabo as Violet's love interest. His pleasant demeanor and good looks have many people comparing him with Mel Gibson, although it remains to be seen whether he can handle roles that are more substantial. John Goodman provides one of the film's best moments when he gets up on the bar and dances as Violet auctions him off to the screaming women in the crowd.

The DVD is packed with interesting special features about the making of the film. It also includes a DTS audio option, which I like better than Dolby Digital 5.1. The soundtrack is pulsating and explosive and pumps the film up with excitement.

This is not great filmmaking, but it is great entertainment. It is an amiable film that sparkles with energy and is easy to watch. I rated it a 7/10. Many people were surprised by how much they enjoyed it, but I'm never surprised when I like a Jerry Bruckheimer film. He knows how to push our buttons.

Without substance, but highly entertaining.

[SmoothCriminal8291958 · 7/10 · 24 March 2007]

Producer Jerry Bruckheimer seems to have an innate sense of what makes money in cinema. He seldom makes a film that isn't profitable and has numerous blockbusters on his resume over the past 30 years (American Gigolo, Flashdance, Beverly Hills Cop, Top Gun, The Rock, Con Air, Armageddon). Bruckheimer is a populist producer. He is more concerned with giving audiences what they want than he is about producing films of any artistic value or substance. In that regard, 'Coyote Ugly' fits right in.

This film is energetic, entertaining, scintillating and fun to watch. The story is "Flashdance" lite, and is reminiscent of the popular but vacuous 'Cocktail' with Tom Cruise, only with a decent plot woven in. Violet Sanford (Piper Perabo) is a young aspiring songwriter who leaves South Amboy, New Jersey traveling to New York City to be discovered. When things don't go as planned, she takes a job as a bartender in a raucous singles bar where the sexy female bartenders dance provocatively on the bar to the shrieks of the rowdy patrons below. Of course, there is a love story to go along with the quest for fame, completing the populist formula.

Bruckheimer defies the conventional Hollywood big budget approach by using an ensemble cast of veritable unknowns and a first time director. Other than John Goodman in a minor role, and supermodel Tyra Banks who hasn't done much acting, most of the actors have extremely short resumes. This gives the film a freshness and energy that comes from the cast's exhilaration at just being on the set.

Piper Perabo is an incredible find. She is not simply acting in this film, but living the role. Just like her character Violet, this film is her big break so her ability to understand the character and the role is implicit (another stroke of Bruckheimer genius). Perabo is an excellent actor with tremendous ability and potential. It is likely that this film will be the launch pad for a bright career. Maria Bello also gives a fabulous performance as Lil, the tough and successful owner of the nightclub. Australian actor Adam Garcia has great chemistry with Perabo as Violet's love interest. His pleasant demeanor and good looks have many people comparing him with Mel Gibson, although it remains to be seen whether he can handle roles that are more substantial. John Goodman provides one of the film's best moments when he gets up on the bar and dances as Violet auctions him off to the screaming women in the crowd.

The DVD is packed with interesting special features about the making of the film. It also includes a DTS audio option, which I like better than Dolby Digital 5.1. The soundtrack is pulsating and explosive and pumps the film up with excitement.

This is not great film-making, but it is great entertainment. It is an amiable film that sparkles with energy and is easy to watch. I rated it a 7/10. Many people were surprised by how much they enjoyed it, but I'm never surprised when I like a Jerry Bruckheimer film. He knows how to push our buttons.

Eye Candy

[AngelHonesty · 5/10 · 1 January 2021]

Not much to say about this one. The film is mostly about watching sexy girls dance on a table. Not much of a storyline, just enough to say the movie has a plot. The singing in the film is nice to listen to, but the movie is basically eye candy, the acting is shallow and sometimes cringe worthy. The plot and lines are predictable and cliché. If you're looking to watch a B movie with hot girls basically pole dancing on a table then this is the film for you.

Coyote Ugly Was A "Feel Good" Film

[shulma2002 · 28 May 2004]

I was not disappointed with "Coyote Ugly". It made me feel good and we need this kind of film these days with all that's going-on.It was no worse than "Flashdance" or "Footloose" which also had little storyline and average acting. I enjoyed it and it was what I had expected.Many of you gave it negative criticisms; what did they expect from a film about a young girl coming to the city? This was a simple story about a young shy girl with dreams trying to make it in show business; which is hard if you don't have the right connections.The dance numbers and bar scene were very realistic. As a New Yorker, I was happy to see that she wasn't mugged or worse as many films about New York portray.I'd like a sequel.

20 Years Later Revisiting This

[statuskuo · 6/10 · 16 April 2020]

After 20 years, I'd have to say...it doesn't hold up that well. BUT, that's not to say, it brings a tug of nostalgia for that era of Jerry Bruckheimer slick music video retreads of "Flashdance" A lot of it is due to Diane Warren's corny soundtrack music. And those of us who were in college by now, have a slight shiver when we hear her anthems. Which nearly toppled another Jerry Bruckheimer gem "Con Air" with "How Do I Live Without You" Oof.

The present day woman would consider that dis-empowering to be so attached to a man (or perhaps this could be used towards other women). Speaking of which, the topic at hand is "Coyote Ugly." Presumably, an article led to this story (written by Gina Wendkos). I recall a friend had moved to New York City and discovered a bar called Hogs and Heifers, which shared very similar rambunctious behavior (nailing bras to the wall). And dancing on bars and so forth. In Jerry Bruckheimer world...it's PG-13. So none of the topless stuff is displayed (unless you get the unrated DVD/Blu-Ray which shows Piper Perabo's funbags).

Though this movie is about making it in the big city, it is somewhat laughable at the truncated timeline. Within a few weeks Violet Sanford (Perabo) becomes the hottest songwriter in the country with a number 1 hit that is sung by Leanne Rhimes. And though these girls are suppose to be world and tough, the painfully model casting of...Tyra Banks, Bridget Moynahan, Izabella Miko and Maria Bello set this in a truly fantastical mystical world I'd reserve for...um...say Hollywood. If that was the intention than kudos to director David McNally. To me, it seems less genuine. Jennifer Beals would seem like a dog up agains these girls. Any way, great to see John Goodman pop up as Violet's New Jersey dad (though still seems like he can't shake that Dan Conner-ness) and Bud Cort's very small cameo. Clearly this movie was made to rake in the jiggle factor. So, cheers to them for recognizing what it exists for. Also special note to cinematographer Amir Mokri. Great lighting. I feel this may get a re-release in the future. That will stand up well.

I Did Enjoy it...however

[damianphelps · 6/10 · 23 January 2021]

This movie is as formulaic as baby formula....very predictable which to me is a sign of lazy writing, producing and directing.

Its also a 15 year old boys wet dream!

Where the movie works is generally a good soundtrack and any scene that has John Goodman in it.

Where it fails is any time they focus on her song writing.

Released in 2000 the film drips 90's clichés.

Still overall the movie has enough highpoints (and John Goodman) to be entertaining and earn itself a little more than a pass mark.

When you don't know what to say, display for TnA, I guess

[StevePulaski · 5/10 · 28 June 2011]

The most clever scene in Coyote Ugly is when Maria Bello explains why the bar is named what it is. She says it's when a woman wakes up in bed with a man after a one night stand and he's so ugly, but you have your arm around him because last night he seemed hot. Desperate, but not wanting to be rude, instead of pulling your arm out from under him you try to chew it off like a trapped coyote. That my friends, is Coyote Ugly.

It was much to my surprise that Kevin Smith actually did a rewrite of the film's script at one point. I would imagine if Smith's version was made into the final film that it would be less about the girl's bodies and more about their problems. Instead of so many overhead shots of women dancing on one another, soaked in water, comparing wet t-shirts, I'm sure there would've been more sincere dialog between Violet and her friends. Maybe we would've gotten to know them better. It's all one big "maybe." The film centers around Violet (Perabo), an aspiring songwriter trying to make it in the complicated and relentless world of music. She tries to get her demo tape heard, but is always met with reps that blow her off. Violet leaves home and goes to New York to try her look, but realizing she needs to make end's meet, she goes to work at a bar called "Coyote Ugly" where she will entertain customers by seductively dancing on the bar countertop while pouring drinks and showering her and her fellow employees with water. That's the extent of it.

In the meantime, Violet dates a shady guy who she had mistaken for a record exec (Garcia). Let me ask Violet, do you think it's a good idea to date a guy who just tried to pass himself off as a guy who could get you a record deal and doesn't discuss any of his past? Does he seem like the dream guy mothers would want their daughters to date, and could have a good ol' day out with the father? I neglected to mention that the club is run by Lil (Bello). Lil, full name Liliana Lovell, actually runs the real-life Coyote Ugly in New York. Maria Bello was excellent in The Cooler, and does more sure-fire work in this picture. She is still as hilarious as ever, and plays a very strict, yet laidback bartender.

Coyote Ugly, even in possession of a decent storyline, is ruined by its own immaturity. There are too many overhead shots of women on the bar countertop that go nowhere and aren't arousing or entertaining at all. I appreciate John Goodman's role as Violet's protective and caring dad, but the scenes with him are far to spread out and far too short to fully enjoy. I imagine if Kevin Smith was responsible for writing the entire screenplay maybe the movie would've been more about the daddy/daughter relationship rather than the women.

The story isn't gripping, but it works for a while. Until the bar comes into play. Then it's down to twelve year olds controlling the camera. Piper Perabo is gorgeous, and is one of the most underrated actresses in Hollywood today in terms of looks and acting skills. She still hasn't had that "breakout" role that has taken her career to new heights. Surprisingly, as juvenile as this picture can be, this really didn't jump-start any future projects for her. Nor anyone else in this film.

Starring: Piper Perabo, Adam Garcia, Maria Bello, and John Goodman. Directed by: David McNally.

unfairly treated

[MarcoDeLorca1996 · 7/10 · 1 December 2021]

This movie is not bad today really bad movies are made and people don't say something at least it has a good message and the characters are nice the movies right now are only about how many empty references you put in a movie.

Sucked

[mrwarhol · 1/10 · 11 July 2001]

I can't begin to tell just how awful this movie is, so I won't even try. Also, the lead in this movie is the worst actor to come along since Lassie. One more thing I'd like to say is that the soundtrack to this movie is enough to send one packing to the Insane Asylum. If you value your money, don't rent this turd of a movie.

Belly up to the bar and hang on.

[michaelRokeefe · 7/10 · 10 July 2001]

Violet Sanford(Piper Perabo)wants to avoid a dead end life and decides to leave New Jersey for the big city. In NYC, she is determined to be a hit song writer. In order to make ends meet, she takes a job slinging beer and dancing on the bar with the other "Coyotes" at the popular watering hole Coyote Ugly. This is very titilating and an eye full to watch. The trailers don't give you any hint of substance. Perabo is so easy to like. I could watch her for hours. Maria Bello, who plays the bar owner is impressive as well. Also in the cast: Adam Garcia, John Goodman, Melanie Lynskey, Izabella Miko, Bridget Moyhnahan and a cameo by LeAnn Rimes, who actually is the singing voice of Perabo's character. Besides the four songs by Rimes, the soundtrack is full of music by the likes of The Charlie Daniels Band, Lenny Kravitz, Def Leppard, Blondie and Elvis Presley. Order another round and enjoy. This is actually worth seeing more than once.

Stop me if you've heard this one...

[novusopiateseclorum-1 · 1/10 · 9 May 2007]

a small town girl moves to the big city with big dreams, only to get a reality check, fall for a mysterious guy and experience some light drama, only to prevail in the end.

heard this one before? it would surprise me if you haven't.

aspiring filmmakers, screenplay writers, moviegoers, really anyone that has even seen a movie; coyote ugly is an exercise in exactly what to avoid in doing a movie. terrible acting, terrible writing, annoying characters, predictable plots, and sex appeal to make it sell. almost every aspect of this movie was stereotypical, pedestrian, and underdeveloped. it all follows a very neat and tired formula, that you can see where the movie will end ten minutes in. most of the time, i find the pleasure in films in not knowing the ending, but in coyote ugly, you can see it from a mile away, and don't want to sit through an hour and a half of fluff to get there.

in what might be the most overworked Hollywood formula, here we have a small town girl with big dreams who moves to the big city to become a songwriter. but, as expected, the city is not as glamorous and welcoming as it might be, and she ends up working in a bar, where scantily clad women dance on tables and serve drinks to unruly men. she meets one, a sensitive mysterious one, who has a mysterous past and a mysterious demeanor and is just a mystery wrapped in an enigma in a box of puzzles that she falls for. she then gets terrible stagefright playing some three chord bubblegum pop song that sounds just like every other mass produced bubblegum pop song and runs offstage, only to confront this fear later.

this formula has been done a million times, and million times better. the dialogue is fake, bored and uninspired, only going through the motions to move the plot along. the acting is horrendous, the actors are so bad and just feel like cardboard cutouts, there is very little acting involved. all of their relationships are underdeveloped, and the lack of good acting negates any possibility of feeling attachment to the characters. my personal favorite downer of the film is the huge talent that the main character believes she possesses in her musical career, after playing three chords and singing something that sounds like it was written by Hillary duff. how is the audience supposed to feel a connection and an empathy for her musical ambitions when she clearly has no talent? in conclusion, this is a movie you've already seen far too many times. this is a terrible film that fails on literally every level. almost every scene, every piece of drama, and every piece of dialogue falls flat with a resounding thud just minutes into the scene. predictable, recycled garbage, in one of the most irritating films ever conceived.

Heartwarming story overcomes sappy bits.

[Bondo20 · 8/10 · 21 July 2001]

Based on the true story about the crazy female run bar in New York City, Coyote Ugly becomes surprisingly believable despite the usual Hollywood bits. The story follows Violet Sanford (Piper Perabo) as she moves from small town New Jersey to the city to become a songwriter. Through her misfortunes she meets boyfriend Kevin O'Donnell (Adam Garcia) and the Coyotes and learns from each of them to overcome the stage fright that threatens to ruin her dreams.

Many moments are sappy or overly dramatic but the majority is enthralling as all the characters are solidly built. The girls all have their own character but aren't so strictly chained to it that they become merely symbols instead of people. While the females may be on the screen the most, the two supporting males Kevin and William Sanford (John Goodman) provide the most heartwarming scenes. Goodman's performance provides subtle humor while his character struggles through the conflict of his daughter leaving and his desire to see her succeed. For an actor who has put in so many great performances, this one still manages to be one of his best.

Coyote Ugly offers something enjoyable to everyone. Guys obviously will enjoy the attractive girls and the provocative dancing while girls can enjoy the strong female characters, each of which won't take crap from any of the men that surround them. Parents can enjoy the side story of the conflict between Violet and her father. Another feature to enjoy is the fabulous music with four songs performed by LeAnn Rimes with some smaller groups as well.

Coyote Ugly crosses the unusual boundary of being both an exciting, fast-paced movie that gets the adrenaline flowing and a sensitive story with strong characters and brilliant acting to get the mind working. The result is a thoroughly rewarding movie experience.

Wanna dance? The hottest party of the year.

[Lady_Targaryen · 7/10 · 3 January 2006]

There are something like 3 years since I watched ''Coyote Ugly'', but I remembered it of being a very nice movie! It was the first movie I watched with Piper Perabo and Bridget Moynahan.(who, by the way, is the same lady who works in ''I,Robot'' and I couldn't remember since she is so different!)We also have the famous John Goodman playing Violet's dad and Adam Garcia, who I already have watched in ''Riding in Cars with Boys ''. The story of this movie is very simple, and it's about a girl called Violet from New Jersey,who wants to be a singer and go to New York to try her luck. Once in the Apple City, she has many problems finding someone to be interested in her music, and goes to work in a bar called ''Coyote Ugly'', where the girls (bar maids) besides giving the clients drinks also do sensual dances. She also meets the charming Australian Kevin, who she falls in love.

Great soundtrack. The film? Not so much

[TheLittleSongbird · 3/10 · 18 July 2016]

In many ways, actually, 'Coyote Ugly' from personal opinion didn't even come close to good.

Feel-good films when done right are very entertaining and heart-warming. However 'Coyote Ugly', while with its moments, has too many faults that are at worst ineptly done to succeed as a feel-good film.

Starting with 'Coyote Ugly's' good things, the best asset by far is the soundtrack, which is quite brilliant and deserved a far better film. The LeAnn Rimes numbers "The Right Kind of Wrong", "Please Remember" and "Can't Fight the Moonlight" particularly stand out of the songs, as does the classic Elvis Presley standard "Can't Help Falling in Love", one of the most beautiful all-time great romantic songs. The score is very nice too.

While the acting wasn't great at all, there is one good performance and it is that of John Goodman, who is an entertaining and amiably likable father figure. Some of the camera work is quite smart too.

On the other hand, while the music itself is of really high-quality it does feel too constant with little break and like there could have been less, there were definitely scenes that would have benefited much more without it or at least from music with a less intrusive approach. Too many scenes feel like amateurishly edited and lazily choreographed, with a lot of gloss and either being overblown or lacking energy, music videos, which is a huge problem in a film full of them and with a wafer-thin story that feels like an excuse to string these scenes together.

Also hugely problematic is how cliché-ridden and stereotypical it is. Not just the story, which has every done to death cliché in the book that everything feels forced and predictable with ridiculous and laughable dramatic elements with little chemistry and no substance or emotional connection whatsoever. We are also talking about the characters in a film loaded with every possible stereotype, another problem being that apart from Cammie and Bill very few of them are likable, with a difficult to relate to protagonist, and some add nothing to the film, Maria Bello's character is particularly useless and only there because the film "needed" the obligatory boss stereotype.

Goodman aside, the performances are not great, or even good, at all. Adam Garcia is particularly bad, with an acting ability so limited it's almost non-existent and he feels out of place too. He doesn't even work as eye candy that well. Piper Perabo tries hard but too often lacks charisma and doesn't display a wide range of emotions with sudden shifts in character that undermine the character's growth. Everybody else is bland or annoying though Izabella Miko has moments of charm. Dialogue is painfully trite and thin throughout, while the direction lacks panache and flash. The film looks alright, especially in the colours, locations and the camera work, which show a lot of style, but cheapened by too much gloss and amateurish editing.

Overall, there is a great soundtrack but 'Coyote Ugly' falls far short. 3/10 Bethany Cox

Good!

[buiger · 7/10 · 12 April 2015]

I strongly disagree with most of the critics on this one.

This is a very solidly made romantic comedy. It is fun, entertaining and sports an excellent musical score. The story is clichéd yes, but remains believable and above all, with a completely original premise. The scenes at the bar are really well made, the atmosphere that transpires is electrifying. Everything is above par, the sound, the cinematography and the acting. Oh, and I almost forgot; the girls are fabulous...

What else does one need for an entertaining afternoon at the movies? Well done.

Good movie, bad movie.

[movie_man77 · 7/10 · 7 August 2000]

Coyote Ugly is one of those films that you can't really enjoy as a fine piece of cinema. It has a used, weak plot, and a lot of the dialogue is kind of corny. But I don't think anybody who goes to see this film really has high expectations for it, anyway. Coyote Ugly failed as a movie, but succeeded where it counts, ahem ahem. That makes this film a little better than average. I enjoyed Coyote Ugly, and think anybody else would, too.

The Ultimate Product Placement

[JamesHitchcock · 4/10 · 5 July 2014]

"Coyote Ugly" is a real bar in New York; the name is presumably an ironic allusion to the fact that its female staff are all very attractive. I wonder how many other real bars in America have been able to benefit from the ultimate product placement of having an entire Hollywood movie dedicated to their activities.

Violet Sanford is a young woman from South Amboy, New Jersey who moves to New York to follow her dream of becoming a songwriter. The film is clearly based on the dubious theory that songwriters need to live in big cities because no songs worth listening to have ever been written in small towns. (It is also based upon the assumption that "Violet" was a plausible Christian name for girls of Piper Perabo's generation. Well, perhaps it was in New Jersey, but in the seventies the only Violets in Britain were those queuing up for their old age pension). Violet quickly discovers that, in the songwriting trade, success does not always come quickly and realises that she will need another source of income to tide her over until her genius is recognised by the music industry. She therefore gets a job at the Coyote Ugly Saloon.

"Coyote Ugly" reminded me of a slightly later film, "Burlesque". In that film Christina Aguilera also plays a rather naive young girl who leaves her small-town home to settle in the big city and who ends up working in a rather risqué establishment. Lil, the bar owner, also bears certain similarities to the character played by Cher in "Burlesque". The main difference is that the Coyote Ugly Saloon is not actually a strip club; taking their clothes off is not something the Coyote Girls are expected to do. If, however, they are not strippers, neither are they barmaids as that term is more generally understood. They are encouraged to flirt with male customers, to dance on the bar, to take part in wet T-shirt contests and to behave in a generally raunchy way.

The film charts Violet's rise to fame not only as a bartender but also as a singer-songwriter, and there is a subplot chronicling her romance with a handsome young Australian named Kevin. Actually, "handsome" seems an inadequate adjective to describe Adam Garcia. He achieves the rare feat for a Hollywood leading man of being even prettier than his leading lady. The film-makers seem to have had the cynical idea of making a romantic comedy (normally regarded as a genre which appeals more to women than to men) which would be equally popular with both sexes. Garcia would provide eye-candy for the ladies, while for the men there would be the sight of various sexy girls parading their charms in tight- fitting T-shirts and jeans. Among Violet's co-workers is the gorgeous supermodel Tyra Banks, at this period trying to carve out a cinema career for herself. (Tyra's bid for screen stardom did not prove a great success, but at least she was no worse than some of her fellow supers, such as Cindy Crawford, Naomi Campbell and Elle Macpherson, who also tried their hand at acting around the same time).

Good looks, whether of the masculine or feminine variety, are not always enough to ensure the success of a film, but "Coyote Ugly" did relatively well at the box-office. The critics, however, were less impressed, and I must say that my sympathies are with them. The plot is weak and clichéd, and the acting is undistinguished. Both Perabo and Garcia are forgettable; about the only one of the cast to make anything of an impression is John Goodman as Violet's father Bill, like most Goodman characters an amiable slob. Even the sight of Tyra Banks in a T-shirt cannot make "Coyote Ugly" anything more than a below-average rom-com. 4/10

Perfunctory entertainment

[ghica · 26 November 2001]

I wonder why many serious film critics go to the trouble of explaining in lengthy and clever reviews why "Coyote Ugly" is not a good film. What did they expect? What do they expect in general of mass-produced teen-targeted entertainment? To challenge, illuminate and move? To elevate the audience to a new esthetic climax? Are them critics familiar with with teens' tastes? I find such criticism superfluous, even self-indulgent. "Coyote Ugly" is simply an instance, undistinguished, of a vast and serious cultural issue. One can address the issue itself and use this movie as an illustration, but taking it at face value and analyzing it out of context is inappropriate. Movies like "Coyote Ugly" do not set out to deliver artistic or original or educational content; so it is unfair to reproach them the fact that they do not deliver such values.

"Coyote Ugly" is a successful movie both commercially and in that it seems to hit all the targets it aims at. This is the standard we should judge it by. Teen-targeted "dramas" could be judged, I propose, by technical merit alone: is the tempo of the movie high enough so that not to bore but low enough so that not to exhaust? are the actors beautiful and charismatic? are the characters simple enough not to create moral ambiguity but complex enough to be believable? is the story predictable enough so that not to challenge but reassure? Smashing soundtrack? Criteria such as these are more suitable. And I think "Coyote Ugly" delivers from this point of view. If there was, and I wonder why it isn't, an Academy Award category for perfunctory entertainment this movie would be a contender.

Not ugly and definitively not a bar movie as well (DVD)

[leplatypus · 7/10 · 29 May 2011]

The cover with all the girls having fun in a bar isn't accurate because the bar intrigue and the friends are really a subplot. The story focuses really of the life of Violet and as a "dreams come true" movie, this one is really superior to "Honey". The reason is that even as a newcomer, Piper Parabo is definitely a better actress than Jessica Alba! She is really moving with her feelings and i like the way she manages her relationship with her father and her boyfriend. The final moments are maybe a bit rushed but i have enjoyed the journey. And what about the coyotes then? Well, they are in the back: the dance and drinks aren't so many and it's a good thing because getting drunk in a bar while peeping girls isn't my habit. Now i understand why it's a Disney production because it focuses on dreams and not booze and if the girls get loose, there is nothing scandalous.

Nice actress in unwatchable movie

[SnoopyStyle · 5/10 · 29 December 2013]

Violet Sanford (Piper Perabo) is an aspiring songwriter from small town New Jersey. She leaves her pizza joint waitress job, her father, and her best friend to pursue her dreams in NYC. Only the big bad city is getting the best of her. Down to her last few dollars, she tries out for a surprising job at a bar called Coyote Ugly.

First, I don't know why she has to move to NYC to pursue her dreams as a songwriter. I would think New Jersey is close enough to get rejected by the music industry, and she could do a week or two. But as a songwriter, why does she have to stay there? I think it would be better if she's an actress.

Then the rejections are so silly and ham fisted. It had me rolling my eyes, and hating the first act. By the time she gets to the bar, I couldn't really stand the movie. Maria Bello plays the bar owner. Izabella Miko, Tyra Banks, and Bridget Moynahan play the dancers. Other than watching some hot actresses dancing suggestively, there isn't much in this movie.

Great supporting charaters just try to ignore Violet!

[AlexGreen88 · 6/10 · 5 March 2019]

This movie is made entertaining by the supporting characters, everyone but the main character Violet is entertaining and adds fun and complexity to the otherwise shallow and predictable story-line. If you can mostly ignore how irritating Violet is then the film is pretty fun. Violet is shallow, dumb, naive and generally gives women a bad name. She treats the one person in NYC who gives a damn about her like he's some annoying school boy. She's arrogant and judgemental with zero street smarts and seems to lack any sense of self-preservation. The other characters are entertaining, clever and add lots of laughs so watch it for them and just roll your eyes at Violet's irritating performance.

Familiar story still has great energy, and works for me!!!

[bopdog · 8/10 · 5 August 2000]

Not bad, not bad. I read reviews that criticized the cliche-ness of this movie, and I can see their point. At times the plot made the characters a little bit annoying. But hey-- story cliches often become that way because they speak to universal "truths," or at least things that interest bunches of people over of time.

This movie is interesting-- it is engaging, and even touching at times. I DID care about the characters throughout the story. I wanted to see how things would work out for them, and I wanted them to win. Sure, the plot is kind of predictable-- but the energy kept the theme in the forefront, and I AM interested in the theme presented here-- love, taking risks, courage, and all of that. The women actors were wonderful-- hot, sure, but also outrageous in an innocent kind of way. I had the sense that none of the characters in the movie, even the raunchy extras in the bar scenes, was belittled. I suspected the writers, director, cast, etc., had a basic affection for their subjects and topic.

The dancing was great-- I noted "dancing doubles" in the credits for all of the girls-- and the bar tricks and stunts were fun. I enjoyed pretending that those stunts were even possible, and that they wouldn't have killed 7 people the first night they were tried in a real bar in real life. I gave this one an "8" out of 10. Go see it-- you'll like it!

From a True South Amboy Girl!

[Sylviastel · 7/10 · 25 March 2007]

I was born in Amboy, Perth Amboy, right across the river from South Amboy where the girl, Violet Sanford, was supposed to be from. I was there the day that the film came to town to shoot the opening scene. They all ordered pizza from the pizzeria, Delios, right across the street whose owners are truly Sicilian born and bred who have been making pizza since before I was born. I met some of the crew members. The filming only lasted a couple of days but I remember it like yesterday. South Amboy is not so far away from New York City that Violet could have made the trek on her own like the hundreds who do from the South Amboy train station which goes directly to Penn Station. I really became a fan of Piper while watching the film last night on television as well as Maria Bello who plays bar owner, Lil. My family are huge admirers of Melanie Lynskey mostly from her role as Rose on Two and Half Men but she's good here except she plays the accent just a little too thick. Nobody in South Amboy talks like that. You can't help but love John Goodman. Anyway the film's alright with a story of Violet Sanford who wishes to become a songwriter.

Stupid, unimaginative, pointless, ect.ect.

[cockroach66 · 1/10 · 27 February 2004]

I wish I had more arms, so I could give this movie four thumbs down!! How do movies like this get made? Even worse, how does anyone on earth watch this without wanting to kill themselves afterward? Hey, I'm the little innocent girl from nowhere and I want to do something with my life...so yeah, I'll move to the BIG city and, oh my, it's so much harder to live there. Gee, I'll get a job at a bar...oh my goodness, what are they doing on that bar? Blah blah blah...it's horrible. Don't watch it, you've been warned. If you do watch it, and actually like it, you have no concept of reality, and no taste as far as movies go.