Cocktail

Cocktail is an exhilarating and energetic drama film released in 1988. Directed by Roger Donaldson, the film features an extraordinary cast led by charismatic Tom Cruise, alongside Bryan Brown and Elisabeth Shue. The movie offers a thrilling blend of romance, drama, and inspiring aspirations balanced with harsh life realities, all wrapped up with intense bar-tending skills and the vibrant nightlife scene of the 1980s.

The film follows the journey of the aspiring and ambitious Brian Flanagan, portrayed by a young Tom Cruise. Fresh from serving in the military, Brian returns to New York with dreams of making a big splash in the business world. His ambitions to climb the corporate ladder soon hit a wall of reality as he finds that opportunities are not as plentiful as he thought. This unfortunate realization pushes him towards an unusual yet impulsive gig at a local bar to pay his bills until his big break comes around.

Brian soon meets his match and mentor in the charismatic and world-wise Australian bartender Doug Coughlin, played by Bryan Brown. Under Coughlin's tutelage, Brian becomes a skilled barman, where he is not just serving drinks, but positions himself as an entertainer and artist with an uncanny ability to captivate audiences with his flair bartending and magnetic charm. This newfound talent and the duo's infectious energy lead them into a world of popularity, easy money, late-night parties and women getting sucked into the high-spirited nightlife.

The narrative takes an interesting spin as Brian heads to Jamaica on holiday, creating a vibrant and exotic backdrop that amplifies the energy and flamboyance of the film even more. It is in this beautiful Caribbean landscape that Brian meets Jordan Mooney, played by Elisabeth Shue. Jordan, a relentlessly optimistic artist, provides a marked contrast to Brian's cynicism. A surreal romance blossoms between the two, bringing to the surface Brian's contrasting ambitions: the wealth and fame that comes with his bartending career and his growing feelings towards Jordan.

Cocktail is not just a story of bartending and romance but also explores themes of friendship, dreams, ambition, love, betrayal and the all too often clash between one's dreams and the real world. The film features a memorable and catchy soundtrack that mirrors the action-produced cue and sets a bubbly mood that sticks with you, enhancing the overall atmosphere of the film.

What truly sets Cocktail apart is that it provides a raw and alluring look at the ups and downs of life, combined with a raw charm that delivers a lot of heart. Flanagan's journey through the competitive business of bartending, his roller coaster of a relationship with his mentor, and his daring romance with Jordan, are all brought to life through the fabulous performances of Tom Cruise, Bryan Brown and Elisabeth Shue.

Tom Cruise, with his rare charisma and extraordinary acting abilities, delivers a magnetic performance, making audiences root for his character despite his flaws. Bryan Brown with his veteran performances, presents a good counterpoint to Cruise's youthful exuberance, while Elisabeth Shue beautifully carries the weight of the film's emotional quotient with her nuanced performance.

Cocktail is a potent mixture of ambition, dreams, love, and life's harsh realities that can surprise you, uplift you, but at the same time, make you reflect on life, dreams, and their costs. The movie becomes a colourful canvas that successfully encapsulates the wild 1980s nightlife and the temptation that comes with success and fame.

The film's climax is impactful and leaves an indelible impression with its prologue - a cocktail of emotions and an interesting revelation about life. All in all, Cocktail, with an enchanting movie star at its center, shows that life is, indeed, what you make it, and no dream is beyond reach. It's a compelling and equally entertaining watch, promising a good escape into the world of movies while leaving you with food for thought. If you're a fan of the 80s, Tom Cruise, or simply a sucker for drama and romance, then Cocktail is definitely a must-watch.