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Cocktail
1988 104 min United States of America R 18+
★5.1
Romance, Drama, Comedy
Director: Roger Donaldson
Trailers
EN
EN
Description
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.
Budget:
$20M
US Gross:
$78.22M
Worldwide:
$171.5M
Starring
Tom Cruise
Actor
Bryan Brown
Actor
Elisabeth Shue
Actor
Awards
Razzie Awards 1989
— Worst Screenplay
Razzie Awards 1989
— Worst Picture
Razzie Awards 1989
— Worst Director
Razzie Awards 1989
— Worst Actor
Razzie Awards 1989
— Worst Picture
Key opinion
Cocktail is widely regarded as a quintessentially 80s film that leans heavily on the charisma of Tom Cruise and Bryan Brown to elevate a conventional, clichéd script. While some viewers find its exploration of ambition and friendship genuinely moving, others dismiss it as a shallow, predictable romantic drama.
| Acting | The dynamic chemistry between Tom Cruise and Bryan Brown serves as the film's strongest anchor, effectively portraying a complex mentor-apprentice relationship. | |
| Production | The 1980s-era soundtrack and vibrant bar-tending sequences successfully establish a distinct, energetic atmosphere. | |
| Screenplay | The screenplay relies on tired tropes and a predictable narrative arc, leading to a conclusion that many find uninspired. | |
| Pacing | The film's pacing is viewed by some as snappy and engaging, while others argue that the transition from lighthearted bar banter to melodramatic romance feels disjointed. | |
| Emotion | The emotional depth of the film is polarizing: some viewers find the romantic stakes and tragic beats poignant and authentic, while others perceive them as forced and superficial. |