The first two years this movie was in my home I knew nothing about it. My daughter had asked for it for her birthday, and once received had hightailed it up to her room. A couple years later, the kids and I were trying to figure out something to watch and she suggested Coyote Ugly. Well, I have to admit I was less than impressed. Granted, I knew nothing about the movie and had never heard of it other than seeing it on my daughter's request list. I agreed at last, figuring it would only be a couple of hours of boredom at best.

To my surprise, I was glued to the movie pretty much from the moment it started. That viewing firmly placed Coyote Ugly on my favorite movies of all time list. That original VHS tape has since been replaced by my own DVD copy, and I watch this movie at least one time per month - sometimes even more often depending on my mood. Whenever I am feeling down or stressed out, Coyote Ugly can cheer me right up.


Plot Overview

Violet Sanford is a young songwriter-wannabe who leaves her father's home in New Jersey and heads to nearby New York City to make her fortune (much to the chagrin of her father, Bill Sanford), assisted by her friend Gloria. Unfortunately, she is too beset by stage fright to sing her songs and thus is unable to get any of them recognized. She meets Kevin O'Donnell, a young man working as a part time cook/part time fish-cart-unloader and after a bit of a rocky start, the two hit it off. Violet gets a job at a bar named Coyote Ugly, where her nickname becomes "Jersey".

Coyote Ugly is not your normal, run of the mill bar. The girls who work there (Rachel, Cammie, and Zoe, who Violet replaces) not only tend bar, they also dance on top of the bar. The customers love it, and Coyote Ugly is a pretty popular place. Violet's stage fright continues and she is unable to get up on the bar with the other girls. The owner, Lil, is about ready to fire Violet but gives her a couple second chances. Eventually when a fight breaks out in the bar, Violet gets over her stage fright and hops on top of the bar, singing "One Way or Another" along with the juke box and quieting the raging crowd.

When she is not working at the bar, Violet is working on her songwriting career and her blossoming relationship with Kevin. Though her road is fraught with rocky spots, she eventually works them all out and sings one of her songs at a songwriter showcase with Kevin's help.

Happy endings all around. Leann Rimes ends up singing Violet's song, and Violet and Kevin look like they are going to end up living happily ever after.


Cast of Main Characters

Violet Sanford (played by Piper Perabo)
Kevin O'Donnell (played by Adam Garcia)
Bill Sanford (played by John Goodman)
Lil (played by Maria Bello)
Cammie (played by Izabella Miko)
Zoe (played by Tyra Banks)
Rachel (played by Bridget Moynahan)
Gloria (played by Melanie Lynskey)


My Thoughts

I have watched this movie so many times that I have the dialogue memorized, and yet I never tire of watching it. I love the two main scenes where Violet sings and have been known to replay them over and over again during a viewing of the movie. The acting is well done, and the plot line is solid. The story flows smoothly, and loose ends are nicely tied up.

If you haven't seen this movie, you are definitely missing out. It is more than a "chick flick" - it is a feel-good movie that begs to be watched more than once.

Coyote Ugly is a must-add to any home movie collection. It can be found both online and at brick and mortar stores with varying prices.

The ISBN number is 0-7888-2670-0.

Happy watching!

Recommended:
Yes

Viewing Format: DVD
Video Occasion: Fit for Friday Evening
Suitability For Children: Suitable for Children Age 13 and Older