Girls from Coyote Ugly (2000)

Such a spot-on take on how the movie captured the headspace of everyone back then... the whole vibe of the world at the time 👍

I caught this one in theaters
just like I did with She's All That 😁

definitely a moment in time you can't get back...
politically or cinematically speaking
but that doesn't make the movie any good... actually, it was pretty terrible
it's basically been forgotten anyway
you'll occasionally see a clip of it on VH during a "Guess the Year" segment
and that’s about it—nothing more than a passing memory buried under the snow

I didn't think the movie was actually that bad.
It gives you a decent look at life in the city—though I have to disagree with Jacob Alvarez there; it isn't some overly optimistic vision of urban living.
If anything, it feels a bit heavy, maybe even a little too expensive for the average person trying to make it.
Honestly, I bet Anthony Bourdain would’ve actually dug it.😁

The film is excellent 🎉

Look at how many fans there are just here in America 🤣 Look, my point stands: the movie is fun precisely because it’s a bit of a mess. It isn't the best ever, nor is it the worst in its genre, but it holds its own. However, I've looked at what those kinds of bars actually look like in real life, and what they show in this film bears zero resemblance to reality; it's incredibly exaggerated.
By the way, someone brought up the budget—$45 million wasn't actually considered a low budget back in 2000. Just saying. Also, if I recall correctly, I read somewhere that this was one of the last films shot in New York City before 9/11. Personally, I think the film would have functioned much better and more effectively as a serious drama, but hey, if the director was tasked with turning it into what it became, who am I to judge?
As for the argument regarding the state of the USA at that time and how it contributes to the film's atmosphere, you could say that about pretty much any pre-9/11 film from the late 90s. I don't see how that somehow elevates the actual quality of the movie.

Honestly, I thought the whole thing was pretty great when I first saw the movie. It was entertaining enough, and I actually really liked the lead actress.

Elizabeth Cooper2 said:Look at how many fans there are just here in America 🤣 Look, my point stands: the movie is fun precisely because it’s a bit of a mess. It isn't the best ever, nor is it the worst in its genre, but it holds its own. However, I've looked at what those kinds of bars actually look like in real life, and what they show in this film bears zero resemblance to reality; it's incredibly exaggerated.
By the way, someone brought up the budget—$45 million wasn't actually considered a low budget back in 2000. Just saying. Also, if I recall correctly, I read somewhere that this was one of the last films shot in New York City before 9/11. Personally, I think the film would have functioned much better and more effectively as a serious drama, but hey, if the director was tasked with turning it into what it became, who am I to judge?
As for the argument regarding the state of the USA at that time and how it contributes to the film's atmosphere, you could say that about pretty much any pre-9/11 film from the late 90s. I don't see how that somehow elevates the actual quality of the movie.

And how exactly do they look? 🍿

I can barely recall the details, though I’ve probably sat through it more times than all of you combined here.😁

Yeah, there used to be this whole specific subgenre—those summer flicks centered on young people chasing after some big break. They were basically just a curated cocktail of attractive actors, great soundtracks, and that specific brand of pop-coolness characterized by what we used to call a "music video aesthetic"—which, honestly, is such an outdated way to describe things now that everything looks like a music video anyway.
One of those kinds of flicks is Cocktail, starring Tom Cruise.
Usually, movies like that are just stepping stones for some massive summer anthem—you know, the kind of track that dominates the radio for a few months before everyone completely forgets it exists by next summer, right up until the sequel drops.
That whole subgenre? It’s basically dead now—just gone.

Jacob Alvarez said:Are you really going to just gloss over this classic like that? What a joke of a topic. 😬
I mean, looking back, even the old posts here aren't exactly inspiring.

Let’s take it from the top:
It’s the tail end of the 90s. America and the rest of the world don't know it yet, but the era of pure prosperity and endless optimism about the future is about to hit a wall. 9/11 hasn't happened, gas is dirt cheap, Western influence is at its absolute peak, and so on.
David McNally was part of that generation of filmmakers—guys like Michael Bay—who cut their teeth making music videos and commercials. This guy is sitting poolside at some hotel when he gets handed the script for Coyote Ugly, sent over by Jerry Bruckheimer. You guys ever heard of him?

Anyway, McNally gets tasked with turning a story about women flocking to a big city chasing career dreams, only to end up as dancers in some basement dive, into a summer PG-13 hit.
The whole "dive bar" concept was basically at its zenith back then. The idea was to take some unused space, flip it into a bar over the weekend, cram a few hundred people inside, and sling cheap drinks. Then you throw in those dancers with their show to keep things moving. Article.

There are a few reasons why this movie actually matters:
- It’s probably one of the last relatively low-budget summer hits. Especially considering how "ordinary" the story is. No massive explosions, no high-octane action, no global conspiracies. Just life.
- The cast is packed with recognizable faces, even if they weren't all A-list superstars yet. Tyra Banks was already a famous model in her twenties, Andy Garcia was playing a dancer from Australia, plus Piper Perabo, Mischa Barton... and John Goodman was still doing those goofy, lovable supporting roles.
- That hit single by Leann Rimmes was one of the biggest pop tracks of the era. She even shows up near the end (though she was a minor back then, oops).

The movie is a blast! Honestly, I have no clue where people lost their ability to just enjoy a movie over the last twenty years. There aren't really any major flaws. Sure, the plot is a classic, (pre)optimistic vision of big-city life. The character names are total trash. But that’s exactly why it works. The vibe, the fashion, the dialogue—it’s quintessential late 90s. It’s like a nostalgic look back at a better past. Everything is gritty and a bit sleazy, but there’s this rosy lens over everything. They don't make movies like this anymore. 😍

I never cared for this movie, but after reading this, I might actually give it a shot. 🙂

If we’re talking about those movies you watch when you've had one too many drinks at the pub—honestly, I’d take *Looper* or *The Big Lebowski* over any typical bar flick any day. One’s got that gritty edge, the other’s just pure chaos... it's a toss-up, really. As for TV shows, *Northern Exposure* is still my go-to. It just hits different.
with Shelly Tambo 😁

Great women dancing on the bar, pop music playing, good vibes all around.

It’s a solid spot, just as it is.

That song was a massive hit, too. You still hear it playing in places today.

The best part is watching them sit in some fancy rooftop lounge right by the Hudson, looking out over the Manhattan skyline,
just venting about how insanely expensive life has become these days.😁

Daniel Davis40 said:Honestly, I thought the whole thing was pretty great when I first saw the movie. It was entertaining enough, and I actually really liked the lead actress.

And how exactly do they look? 🍿

Well, what can I tell you? Those waitresses dancing on the counters really do exist, but there isn't much that captures the atmosphere depicted in the movie. For the people who frequent the place, it isn't some grand, cinematic experience; it’s just a standard night out. To the regulars who hang out there constantly, it's nothing more than any other local tavern.
It’s mostly just crowds of drunks and unsophisticated crowds; it simply isn't the kind of party they portrayed in the film. And honestly, even nowadays, people are staring at their phones more than they are looking at the women. Besides, you can find plenty of footage of real-life Tavern bars on YouTube if you want to see for yourself.

Back in the day, I’ll admit my motivations for sitting through that film were purely primal; I was there for the scantily clad waitresses and because the girl was such a knockout that I felt obligated to watch... everything else about it was just mindless filler.
Fast forward twenty years, and frankly, I find myself questioning whether it would even hold up as a decent piece of cinema today.
The plot is non-existent, the characters are utterly vapid, and as for the dancing? I couldn't care less.