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This film has been described as Flashdance meets Cocktail.
And while neither of these two movies is exactly a classic,
they stand a class above this Jerry Bruckheimer production which
somehow lacks a bit of zing.
The story revolves around New Jersey girl Violet Sanford (Piper
Perabo) who, against her father's wishes, travels to New York
with aspirations to become a songwriter (Flashdance, sort of).
When this doesn't go according to plan, she ends up working
in the titular bar, where the bar girls provide the own special
brand of entertainment (Cocktail, sort of). Along the way, she
has also develops a romance with hunky Australian Kevin O'Donnell
(Adam Garcia).
One of the main things that is lacking in Coyote Ugly is catchy
song (which, incidentally, both Flashdance and Cocktail had).
After all, this is a movie about a songwriter who works in a
bar where there is lots of partying and dancing. But alas, this
movie's main song is so forgettable that I have already forgotten
its title (something about the moon). Apart from a memorable
theme, Coyote Ugly would also have been improved if its stars
could sing or dance. Unfortunately, the songs are lip synched
(by Lee Ann Rimes - who has a brief cameo) and the dancing is
all too obviously done by dance doubles (which means that most
of the Coyote girls were chosen purely for their looks).
The acting is reasonable but without real charisma with the
exception of John Goodman who is well cast as the the grumpy
father. Also, a word on accents: Garcia's character is clearly
Australian, whereas New Zealand born Melanie Lynskey (who plays
Violet's sister Gloria) is required to speak in a dubious 'Joisey'
accent - despite the fact that Violet does not speak in one
at all!
But despite its flaws, things aren't all bad. The girls do
look good, and Coyote Ugly does look like a fun place to go
for a drink on Friday night. Plus we could all do with a little
bit of inspiration to follow our dreams.
Not bad - but not good either.
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