Roll-M: Coyote Ugly |
Coyote Ugly (starring Piper Perabo, Adam Garcia, Maria Bello, John Goodman, Tyra Banks, LeAnn Rimes; written by Gina Wendkos; produced by Jerry Bruckheimer, Chad Oman; directed by David McNally; rated PG-13).
I attended the screening of Coyote Ugly with great reluctance. Trailers for the movie seem to promise a film mostly for pubescent teen boys, an endless, flesh-filled party, laden with belly buttons and bar tops aflame. Well, there is some of that, to be sure. But I was pleasantly surprised by the simple fun this movie brings to its viewers. It’s not for everyone, but if you’re looking for a harmless bit of summer escapism, this might be the place to park yourself for 100 minutes or so while sipping a cool soda.
Piper Perabo (the naïf from Rocky and Bullwinkle) as lead character, Violet, shows she’s got some mild acting ability after all. She exudes just the right look of innocence that makes her able to pull off this role of small town girl trying to make good in the Big City. (Although Violet’s from New Jersey, her lack of New York smarts makes her seem more like she just fell off some Kansas turnip truck.) Think: Saturday Night Fever meets Flashdance.
Violet has a Dream – to make it big as a songwriter. She kisses her daddy (Goodman) goodbye and moves into the kind of Big Apple dump even roaches would turn up their antennae at. No one will hire her, but soon she encounters some "Coyotes" – girls who make big bucks dancing atop a local bar called "Coyote Ugly." Lot of happy singing and dancing soon follows, our gal proves she’s a trooper, she finds love, and oh yeah – her songs finally get attention (and are sung in the film by LeAnn Rimes, who makes a cameo). It’s a summer fairytale, a happy bit of fluff that will hold your attention due director McNally’s quick pacing. (3 owls)