Coyote Ugly is a story about a 21-year-old woman who decides to leave her native town of South Amboy, New Jersey for the bright lights of New York in order to pursue her dreams to become a songwriter. Violet Sanford (Piper Perabo) wants to follow in her dead mother's footsteps and write songs that other people will sing on the radio. She wants to do it for herself and for her mother, who tried and failed two decades ago.

Once in New York, Violet runs into the harsh wall of reality. Nobody wants to listen to her songs, either because they get too many submissions from aspiring songwriters or they don't listen to unsolicited songs. She tries to sing her songs at an open mic night, but here we find out that Violet has horrible stage fright. Add to those problems not being able to find a job and having her dingy apartment broken into, and we have a rather desperate and dejected girl.

But salvation can come from unexpected sources. One morning at a local diner, Violet overhears the antics of three women, celebrating after another successful night of work. The three are Coyotes: Rachel (Bridget Moynahan), Cammie (Izabella Miko), and Zoe (Tyra Banks). Zoe is going to retire next week and Violet sees her opportunity. She goes to the Coyote Ugly, talks with the owner Lil (Maria Bello) and gets herself an audition.

Violet slowly integrates herself into being a Coyote and becomes quite popular. But her songwriting career is being sidetracked. Her boyfriend Kevin (Adam Garcia) and her dad (John Goodman) don't like her job. Being a Coyote interferes with her dreams and finally Violet has to decide whether to continue being a Coyote or to quite and pursue her dreams (or find a third alternative).

That's the basic plot. Now some of the characters. Bill Sanford is Violet's overweight father. Although a competent toll booth worker, he has problems cooking and washing clothes. Violet tries to keep him on a diet which he hates. He is a father who is worried about his daughter and doesn't want her heart broken, as what happened with Violet's mother.

Gloria (Melanie Lynskey) is Violet's best friend. She is the other side of the coin, staying in South Amboy to marry her boyfriend. Gloria doesn't have any big dreams, but is a supportive friend. Kevin O'Donnell is a mostly short order cook at a local club, sometime parking attendant, and occassional fish loader. He meets Violet when she mistakes him for the owner of the club and gives him one of her music tapes. He is the somewhat mysterious boyfriend who wants to help Violet overcome her stage fright.

Lil is the owner of Coyote Ugly. She has strict rules for her girls and has her hands full keeping the bar running smoothly. While she likes Violet, she knows that business can't interfere with her feelings, so Lil tends to come out as being a bit harsh. As for the other Coyotes, they get a lot of bar scenes, especially the bartop dancing. But they don't get many lines. We only find out that Rachel is the tough girl willing to beat up any guy that gets in her way, while Cammie is the tease who keeps forgetting not to have sex with guys.

There are musical scenes. Violet practicing her music (not Piper singing). Short bits as this isn't a musical. Lots of bartop dancing, lots of bar scenes. The movie is about Violet, not about the Coyote Ugly (contrary to the movie name and trailers). It's PG-13 so no nudity. I'm fine with that and I resent the couple of lines that I've read that blamed the large drop in earnings since opening weekend on young men who don't come back to see it again because there is no nudity. It's a fine story. A coming of age story, with romance and a bit of sexuality. Probably would be ok as a date movie.