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"Cocktail" meets "Showgirls" OR Jersey girl makes it big in N.Y. scene. With the dream of every MTVeenager, Violet Sanford (Piper Perabo) moves to the Big Apple only to find out how unreceptive the music scene is to unknown newcomers. Is it any wonder, considering she doesn't even have enough smarts to pack a decent demo-tape? (One receptionist takes the time to expound cynically on her own private disillusionment before sarcastically ending with, "I'm just dyin' to make your dream come true.") Struggling along with hope pounding in her breast, Violet keeps pounding her keyboard or strumming her guitar on the rooftop (a la Berkeley and Bacon) because her next door neighbor keeps bashing on the walls every time she lets a note hit the air.
When her apartment gets robbed and her stash of cold cash has gone missing, she's offered a free piece of pie at the local diner by the hash-slinging cook who sees her counting her pennies. Luckily, there are some baby dolls sitting in a booth nearby busy bidding farewell to their departing co-worker when Violet sees a chance to earn a buck or two. Leaving her yanking desperation to join the forces of the Coyote Ugly bar, Violet discovers that she has to prove herself before she will be accepted as one of the pack. Shy though she may be, it doesn't take her long before she fits into the flashy, grinding, wild "theengs" strutting their stuff atop the bar (between pouring shots and squirting dudes). Hard-hittin' Lil (Maria Bello) runs this hot spot on 1st Avenue in the East Village and she doesn't want a country girl who can't pack a mean water pistol in a male mob showdown. A woman of few words, she suggests that Violet is from "Piedmont, North Dakota." "New Jersey," Vi says, correcting her. "Same thing," Lil concludes. Nevertheless, the girl is super cute, so Lil'll give her a chance (and maybe enough rope). Naturally, there is an attractive young man who, in no time at all, gets his aims set on the Jersey babe. Kevin O'Donnell (Adam Garcia) may only be an Australian expatriate cook working at the Fiji Mermaid, but he'd do anything to get it together with the "new girl in town." As they stroll along the city streets after first meeting, we know (even as they cross Division Street) that these two were meant to be together. They might argue a little, but that's all part of what a relationship is about. This guy is even willing to part with issue number 129 of his Spiderman comics (introducing the Punisher) to give this girl a chance at the big time. But the frantic antics of the rowdy crowds at Coyote Ugly make it impossible for her to keep the performance date at the Elbow Room. Lover boy is not happy about this.
When Violet finally does get a chance to air her voice, it's atop the bar in an attempt to sooth the savage New Yorkers. So stunned is manageress Lil, she admiringly admits that there wasn't "a dry seat in the house." Lover boy, however, gets into a fight and Vi loses her job. This is enough to send her back to the rooftop singing. This girl's main problem is that she's so shy ("I couldn't do it. I couldn't sing my songs. I was afraid.") that one wonders how she manages to quickly metamorphose into a near-bombshell every time an opportunity pops up. Her opening gig at the Bowery Ballroom can only become her ultimate wish or an incredible fiasco. (The singing voice of Violet is dubbed with the voice of LeAnn Rimes, but the songs written by Diane Warren don't match up to numerous other super hits on the soundtrack which has some powerful music going on in the background throughout.) The girls are gorgeous and they give good show. The boyfriend is cute, cuddly, faithful and all that a coyote companion should be. It's fun. The script might have been stronger. The female straight shooters hold their ground. Jerry Bruckheimer sets 'em up again. As he says, "This is a story about dreams. It's about going after your dreams and the obstacles you come up against when you're getting close to it. With a lot of effort, a little homework and keeping your eye on the prize, you can achieve whatever it is you set out to do." Watch the girls dance flash!
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