Cocktail (2002, DVD)

"Cocktail" can appeal to so many different demographics, I hardly know where to begin describing this entertaining concoction. Suffice it to say, if you like 80's, summer, cheesy, or Elvis movies, then you'll find something to like in "Cocktail".

The story follows twenty-something Brian Flannigan (Tom Cruise), a man who dreams of one day opening a chain of neighborhood bars across the malls of America. His Dad owned a neighborhood bar back in Queens, but Brian's got much bigger plans than his old man did.

He moves to Manhattan looking to join the ranks of corporate America, but he's rejected due to lack of education and lack of experience. Flustered, he stops off at the local T. G. I. Friday's to get a bartending gig to help pay the bills.

While at Friday's he meets fellow bartender Douglas Conglan (Bryan Brown), a charming hustler of a guy with enough BS and moxy to charm the patrons on the lower east side.

Will young Flanigan find love and success in the Big Apple? (It's an 80's movie, I think you know the answer without me giving it away!)

Although this movie is often overlooked as cheesy fluff, in a lot of ways it's the quintessential Tom Cruise movie. You have the shocking scene with a beloved friend dying, Tom being "the best at something" (here bartending, but being an a s s does come a close 2nd), and giving a "big speech" to get the girl back. To be honest, it plays a lot like "Jerry Maguire", which follows this movie by almost ten years.

The actual character of Brian Flanigan isn't very likable at all. If it weren't for Tom Cruise and that 10 million mega-watt smile of his, we'd think young Brian to be pretty dispicable and almost a villian. Luckily, they landed Tom Cruise and we can mostly root for him.

Tom plays the hell out of the hand he's dealt (meaning his character), but the real surprise comes in the strength of the supporting cast. Every line Conglon speaks is worth quoting, and Brown plays him with a cool, slithering charm; the guys just oozes charisma like I've never seen him do in any other movie. In fact, the banter between him and Cruise reminds of me of the Hope/Crosby quips in the "Road to . . ." movies. On one hand you wonder if they really like each other, and on the other side you wonder if there might be a little homo-sexual undertone going on. (See, another Super Secret Movie Formula revealed for a Tom Cruise Movie!)

Elisabeth Shue made a career for herself in the 80's by playing different takes as "the lead's girlfriend", without ever seeming bored by the thankless role. I fell in love with her again for the millionth time, forgetting her forced turns in later fare such as "The Saint" or "Hollowman". She brings a relaxed, yet spunky charm that breathes added life into "Cocktail". My inner brother yelled at the screen "don't go with this guy, you can do better", ever knowing this after all is a Tom Cruise movie, and girls always fall the bad boy, especially one as pretty as Cruise. (Yep, I do the same thing to Ms Zellwegger on repeated viewings of "Jerry")

The music is top notch, just make sure you're in the mood for the sounds of the big 80's. Even the Carribean flavored numbers can't escape that 80's synth-sound. (And the dreaded "Kokomo" by the Beach Boys is in here. . .Uggggh!)

For a little added eye candy, Gena Gershon zips in and out through an early scene, and Kelly Lynch shows off her Cellulite free backside in a smaller role. (Lynch is one of those actresses who seemed to be a role or two away from superstardom, but it never quite happened. 'Tis a pity, 'cuz I liked her in the movies I remember her in, especially this one.)

And in between all the charming banter, we're treated to some great bartending action! I know, "real" bars are ussually more like something you'd find in "Tree's Lounge" or "Friendly's" in "Office Space", but this scenes are as electric and riveting as a well put-together car chase. Just like I wanted to race down the streets after "Days of Thunder", so did I wanna' pour spirits and mouth off witty lines after seeing "Cocktail".

So my final word on the movie itself, if you're looking for something light and fun, go with "Cocktail". It won't make anyone's 10 best list, but you'll be entertained.


Special Features and Chapter Selection

I rarely go into much detail about such things, because for ninety percent of us, we rarely utilise the bonus features more than once, if at all. Still, it's nice added value just knowing they are there, and on some occasions can actually enhance enjoyment of the movie.

With "Cocktail", you won't even get the trailer. (I like watching trailers for movies beforehand to help get me jazzed about what I'm abou tto see). I found this odd, as even the 5 dollar cheapie DVD's I sometimes buy come with trailers. There is one on here for "Dangerous Minds" though!

I take chapter selection for granted to, since most 90 minute movies get split into roughly about 25 different sections. I'm bad about letting my mind wander while watching a movie, and just hit the back button to catch up a little. It's also helpful for when I just want to just pop in a beloved DVD and watch my fav scenes . "Cocktail" is only divided into 10 chapters, so you might have a couple or three scenes all on the same chapter. I wanted ro rewatch the scene where Brian meets Conglan, and it took me all the way back to the opening credits! Hopefully a newer version will be released to remedy these problems. (But as this is hardly a fan favorite, I won't hold my breath.)






Curious about the soundtrack? I wrote a review of it here!
http://www.epinions.com/content_146311384708