Cocktail

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Joel H I remember bits and pieces of Cocktail from watching it as a kid. Although I have no idea why I was watching a movie about philandering bartenders when I was a kid. Yes, the flair bartending is fun to watch. Yes, the soundtrack is a blast. Yes, Tom Cruise has charisma. All that doesn’t change the fact that this film isn’t that good. Much like Cruise’s character, Brian, this story drifts along without any real purpose. And while the acting isn’t terrible, the writing is watered down, and the characters are one-dimensional. It seems that the filmmakers didn’t get the mix right when it comes to Cocktail. Rated 2.5/5 Stars •  Rated 2.5 out of 5 stars 05/16/25 Full Review Matthew D Tom Cruise is oddly relatable looking for a job and making his way in the world. Director Roger Donaldson’s romantic comedy-drama Cocktail (1988) treats bartending like it’s a great sport. It’s like a spiritual sequel to Risky Business as Tom Cruise’s young hopeful entrepreneur gets worn down by the harshness of reality. From being unemployable after military service with no degree, Cruise becomes a bartender. Business college does him no favors, so he keeps bartending for money and trying to find love. Cocktail is skeptical of love, loyalty, and friendship, but in a way I found grounded. Bryan Brown’s other bartender is basically the villain as he’s full of these negative things to say that makes Cruise so cynical, callous, and flawed. He has to maintain who he is to be honest. Cocktail makes the point that all the business people and rich elites are not so special. Just a regular bartender and waitress can be happy and better people at heart. Writer Heywood Gould makes Cruise thoughtful and relatable as he desperately looks for work and tries to make a better future for himself. It warns of the dangers of capitalism, while also showing the potential for making your own business. I don’t think Cocktail deserves all the super negative reviews. You get to spend time with Tom Cruise’s increasingly cynical bartender as he searches for happiness. There’s some brilliant lines from Gould like “You’re a career proletarian.” “Also how Cruise takes Coughlin’s final advice to heart to really say what you mean and be sincere before it’s too late. Tom Cruise is very charismatic and likable as Irish bartender Brian Flanagan. His best moments are with Elisabeth Shue’s sweet girlfriend Jordan Mooney and Bryan Brown’s devilish bartender Doug Coughlin. Cruise lets you believe when he’s in love or disappointed or hopeful. Cocktail is an underrated Tom Cruise performance for suire. Shue is so kind, patient, and heartbreaking. Bryan Brown plays Coughlin with a fiendish appetite for liquor, women, and money. He just feels evil, even if he’s got a dark charm to him. His final scenes actually moved me. Lisa Banes is fun as the rich woman Bonnie, who has Cruise as her kept man for awhile with all her wealth and apathy. Laurence Luckinbill is understandably mean as Jordan’s surprisingly rich father Richard Mooney. Kelly Lynch flirts with everyone in sight as Kerry Coughlin much like Gina Gershon’s wealthy reporter Coral. Ron Dean is full of decent wisdom as Uncle Pat, even if he is cheap. Ellen Foley is fun as the friend Eleanor. Paul Benedict’s rude finance teacher and Kenneth John McGregor’s pretentious sculptor are fun cameos. Editor Neil Travis swiftly takes us from New York to Jamaica, but I most appreciate Travis letting us stay with Cruise. We see all of his emotional interactions, so that there’s real stakes as he changes and matures. Cinematographer Dean Semler’s stunning close-ups of faces and lovely wide shots of scenery are the stuff of dreams. Chris Holmes’ moody lighting is brilliant. Composer J. Peter Robinson crafts a pretty score, but the relaxing soundtrack is a blast. Costume designer Ellen Mirojnick’s cozy sweaters, slick suits, and sexy dresses look dazzling. I love Tom Cruise’s wavy hairstyling by Paul LeBlanc. Overall, Cocktail is underrated in my opinion. Rated 5/5 Stars •  Rated 5 out of 5 stars 05/09/25 Full Review James D Do I think this was an Oscar worthy flick? No — but I have seen worse make it to the nomination stage. Do I think the low critic's score is warranted? Absolutely not. Rated 5/5 Stars •  Rated 5 out of 5 stars 02/27/25 Full Review A.L.Jude P Predominantly a feelgood movie. Rated 3/5 Stars •  Rated 3 out of 5 stars 10/11/24 Full Review Audience Member The fact that some top critics have gotten this insanely fun movie to a 9% is why we can't have nice things. This movie is not supposed to be a subversive masterpiece, its supposed to be a fun comedy, and it is. Every actor knocks it out of the park. The writing and jokes are hilarious and realistic. I could go on. The people who've gotten this film to a 9% are incompetent douchebags who have money filled pockets and rated this film so lowly because they can't enjoy things. Rated 4.5/5 Stars •  Rated 4.5 out of 5 stars 09/22/24 Full Review Audience Member A classic 1980s. Entertaining and fun to watch. Rated 5/5 Stars •  Rated 5 out of 5 stars 09/02/24 Full Review Read all reviews

Cocktail

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