Cocktail Synopsis & Review: Plot Summary

🎯 Quick Overview

😅 Plot Summary – Badly Explained

A bartender learns that flipping bottles and reciting bad poetry can solve all of life’s problems, including unexpectedly becoming a father of twins.

🍿 Cocktail: Detailed Plot Synopsis

Brian’s Ambition in New York

Brian Flanagan (Tom Cruise), a discharged Army soldier, arrives in New York City with dreams of making it big in the business world. However, he faces rejection after rejection due to his lack of a college degree. Frustrated but determined, Brian enrolls in business school and takes a part-time job as a bartender to pay his bills.

Mentorship and Bartending Fame

At the bar, Brian meets Doug Coughlin (Bryan Brown), a charismatic and experienced bartender. Doug takes Brian under his wing, teaching him the art of flair bartending and the secrets to attracting customers. Together, they become a popular bartending duo, known for their showmanship and cocktail creations, achieving local fame and financial success.

Jamaica and a New Romance

Following a falling out with Doug, Brian moves to Jamaica to work as a bartender at a resort. There, he meets Jordan Mooney (Elisabeth Shue), a beautiful artist on vacation. The two quickly fall in love, but their relationship is tested when Doug arrives and instigates a reckless bet involving another woman.

⚠️ Spoilers and Ending Explained

🎬 Cast & Characters

• Brian Flanagan (Tom Cruise): An ambitious ex-military man who becomes a talented bartender while pursuing his dreams of financial success.
• Doug Coughlin (Bryan Brown): A cynical and experienced bartender who mentors Brian, teaching him the tricks of the trade but ultimately succumbs to his own self-destructive tendencies.
• Jordan Mooney (Elisabeth Shue): A free-spirited artist who falls in love with Brian and challenges his materialistic worldview.
• Bonnie (Lisa Banes): A wealthy businesswoman who offers Brian a chance at financial success, tempting him away from Jordan and his own values.
• Uncle Pat (Ron Dean): Brian’s supportive uncle who offers him a place to stay and provides guidance throughout his journey.

💬 Memorable Quotes

• Brian: “I am the last barman poet / I see America drinking the fabulous cocktails I make / Americans getting stinky on something I stir or shake…” – Brian recites this poem, summarizing his rise as a popular bartender and his influence on American drinking habits.
• Doug: “Coughlin’s Law: Bury the dead, they stink up the place.” – Doug shares this cynical piece of advice, reflecting his pragmatic and somewhat dark worldview.
• Doug: “Coughlin’s Law: Anything else is always something better.” – This quote encapsulates Doug’s pessimistic outlook and his constant search for something more.
• Brian: “When he pours, he reigns.” – Closing line, Brian alludes to what it takes to get back a good thing once lost.

💰Box Office

• Budget: $20,000,000
• Domestic Gross: $78,222,753
• Worldwide Gross: $171,504,781

💥 Cocktail Reviews

Personal Review

I have such a soft spot for this movie, even though I know it’s not high art. It’s just pure 80s cheese with a great soundtrack and a charming Tom Cruise. The Jamaica scenes are beautiful, and while the plot is predictable, it’s a fun escape. I can’t help but smile when Brian and Jordan are falling in love under the waterfall; it’s the perfect feel-good moment.

• Who would enjoy:
  • “Fans of Tom Cruise”
  • “Viewers interested in 1980s nostalgia”
  • “People who enjoy lighthearted romantic dramas”
  • “Those interested in bartending and cocktail culture”
• Content warnings ⚠:
  • “Brief scenes of sexuality”
  • “Alcohol use and references”
  • “Mature themes including suicide”
  • “Some suggestive dialogue”

Professional Reviews

• Boston Globe: “Cocktail makes beer commercials look deep, and ‘Top Gun’ look like ‘Hamlet.’ The movie wants to make comments on ambition in 80’s America. Watch it for Cruise, Shue & Brown’s note-worthy performances.
• AllMovie: “Though the film was a box office Super-Hit back in the day, many didn’t love the film then or now. Cruise is fantastic throughout but a stereotypical affair, he carries the film. Worth a watch if you are looking for something in a simple entertaining manner.
• N/A: “A fun and great soundtrack can totally make a silly movie (and Cocktail is silly) better. Cruise may not be at his dramatic best, but he is it his charming, smiling best. If you can switch your brain off for however long, there may be mild pleasures to be had from the dream on an exotic island.

Audience Reactions

The soundtrack is iconic and makes you want to dance and drink cocktails!: Viewers appreciated Cruise’s charisma and Brown’s witty mentor role.

The Jamaican scenery is breathtaking and makes you want to book a vacation.: Many found the movie entertaining despite its predictable plot and somewhat shallow characters.

Overall Consensus: Despite mixed critical reviews, ‘Cocktail’ remains a beloved 80s classic for its charismatic cast, catchy soundtrack, and escapist storyline. A great movie if you want some light entertaining escapism from beginning to end.

Awards

🛠️ Behind the Scenes

• “During the filming of the bed scene between Tom Cruise and Gina Gershon, Cruise knew Gershon was very ticklish and tickled her so much they fell off the bed, that take was used in the movie.”
• “Roger Donaldson, the director, makes a cameo as the writer, adding a meta-element to the production.”
• “The movie was a box office success, grossing over $170 million worldwide against a budget of $20 million, despite being critically panned.”

🖥️ How to Watch Cocktail?

Cocktail is available for streaming on various platforms. You can rent or buy it on Prime Video, Apple TV, Google Play Movies, and Vudu. Check your local listings for availability.

🎥 Similar Movies

If you enjoyed Cocktail, you might like these similar films:

• Flashdance (1983): Features a young protagonist pursuing their dreams against the odds, set against a backdrop of a vibrant nightlife scene and iconic 80s music.
• Coyote Ugly (2000): A more modern film centered around a young woman working in a lively New York bar while chasing her dreams of becoming a songwriter, similar to Brian’s ambitions.
• Saturday Night Fever (1977): Captures the energy of nightlife and a protagonist using dance as an escape, akin to the flair bartending in Cocktail.
• Risky Business (1983): Stars Tom Cruise as a young man pursuing a different kind of ambition, similar to Cocktail with its theme of ambition in the 80’s.

🛒 Cocktail Related Products

• Cocktail: Original Motion Picture Soundtrack: Relive the 80s with this iconic soundtrack featuring hits from The Beach Boys, Bobby McFerrin, and Starship. Perfect for parties or nostalgic listening.
• Tom Cruise: The Platinum Collection [DVD]: This collection features some of Tom Cruise’s best films from his early career. This is a must have for any Cruise fan.
• FlFlair Bartending Practice Bottle: Recreate the movie scenes with your practice bottles, the real way to start perfecting your bartending skillls and amaze your friends.
• Cocktail Movie Poster: Show off your love of the movie with a vintage Cocktail movie poster, looks great in any room in the house.

🎧 Soundtrack

Cocktail features a captivating soundtrack that enhances the movie’s atmosphere and emotional impact. Here are some notable tracks:

• “Kokomo” – performed by The Beach Boys
• “Hippy Hippy Shake” – performed by The Georgia Satellites
• “All Shook Up” – performed by Ry Cooder
• “Don’t Worry, Be Happy” – performed by Bobby McFerrin
• “Wild Again” – performed by Starship

You can find the complete soundtrack on Amazon Music and Apple Music.

🤨 FAQ

🔥 Bonus Content

Behind the Scenes of ‘Cocktail’: Exclusive Bloopers and Cast Interactions

Ever wondered what goes on behind the cameras when your favorite movies are being made? This video takes you on a fun-filled journey behind the scenes of ‘Cocktail’, showcasing hilarious bloopers, candid moments, and the amazing chemistry between the cast. It’s a must-watch for any fan of the movie!

✨ Rate