Cocktail
Cocktail

Cocktail

1988Movie104 minEnglish

After being discharged from the Army, Brian Flanagan moves back to Queens and takes a job in a bar run by Doug Coughlin, who teaches Brian the fine art of bar-tending. Brian quickly becomes a patron favorite with his flashy drink-mixing style, and Brian adopts his mentor's cynical philosophy on life and goes for the money.

Read Reviews

Insights

IMDb5.9/10
Rotten Tomatoes24%
Metacritic44/100
Google Users73%
Director: Roger DonaldsonGenres: Comedy-Drama, Romance

Plot Summary

Brian Flanagan, a cocky New Yorker, dreams of amassing a fortune and escaping his working-class roots. He takes a job as a bartender, initially just to make quick money, but soon discovers a passion for the craft and the vibrant nightlife scene. His ambition leads him to Jamaica where he partners with a seasoned bartender, but his fast-paced lifestyle and pursuit of wealth strain his relationships and personal growth.

Critical Reception

Cocktail was a commercial success, largely driven by Tom Cruise's star power, but received mixed to negative reviews from critics who found its plot predictable and its themes superficial. Audiences, however, were drawn to its romantic elements and the aspirational narrative.

What Reviewers Say

  • Praised for Tom Cruise's energetic performance and the film's stylish portrayal of bartending.
  • Criticized for a formulaic plot and a lack of depth in its exploration of ambition and relationships.
  • Some found the romantic chemistry engaging, while others deemed it unconvincing.

Google audience: Audiences generally enjoyed the film's entertainment value, Tom Cruise's charisma, and the tropical setting. However, some viewers felt the story was shallow and the character development lacking.

Awards & Accolades

Nominated for one Academy Award (Best Original Song for 'Kokomo') and one Golden Globe Award (Best Original Song). Tom Cruise was nominated for a Razzie Award for Worst Actor.

Fun Fact

The iconic 'flair bartending' sequences in the film were performed by Tom Cruise himself, who trained with a professional bartender for several weeks prior to shooting.

AI-generated overview · Verify ratings on official sources

My Review

TMDB Reviews

2 reviews
Wuchak

Wuchak

**_Fun 80’s flick starts shallow, gets deeper_** Bent on financial success, a young ex-soldier (Tom Cruise) becomes an expert bartender in Manhattan while attending college in order to make it on Wall Street. Then a dream surfaces to est...
CinemaSerf

CinemaSerf

There was something about Tom Cruise in this film that shows him at his most engaging and fun. His character "Brian" wants to get on in life - but at every turn his limited of education gets in the way. Despondent, he heads to a bar where h...