Cocktail (1988 film)

Brian Flanagan, a young man from a working-class background, moves to New York City with dreams of becoming a writer. Unable to find a job in publishing, he takes a bartending position at a local bar. There, he meets Doug Coughlin, a charismatic and cynical bartender who takes Brian under his wing, teaching him the art of flair bartending and the philosophy of "making money and having fun." The two become partners, performing impressive tricks and attracting a loyal clientele.

Brian's life takes a turn when he falls for Jordan Mooney, a successful fashion illustrator. However, his ambition and Doug's influence lead him to Jamaica, where he becomes a bartender at a resort. There, he reconnects with Doug, who is now married to a wealthy woman, and begins a passionate affair with an older woman, Bonnie. When Jordan unexpectedly arrives, Brian must choose between his love for her and his hedonistic lifestyle. The film culminates in a dramatic confrontation and a reconciliation, with Brian ultimately choosing Jordan and a more grounded life.

Heywood Gould adapted his own 1984 memoir, which was based on his experiences as a bartender in New York. The film was directed by Roger Donaldson, known for his work on No Way Out (1987). Tom Cruise was cast as Brian Flanagan, a role that required him to learn bartending tricks, which he performed himself in many scenes. Bryan Brown, an Australian actor, was chosen for the role of Doug Coughlin, and Elisabeth Shue played Jordan Mooney.

The film was shot on location in New York City and Jamaica, with the bar scenes filmed at a real New York bar called "The Red Parrot." The production faced challenges, including a script that was rewritten multiple times to balance the romantic and comedic elements. Cruise's involvement brought significant studio attention, and the film's budget was estimated at $20 million. The soundtrack, featuring the Beach Boys' "Kokomo," was released as a separate album and became a commercial success, reaching number one on the Billboard 200.

Cocktail received largely negative reviews from critics, who criticized its shallow plot and predictable romance. However, it was a commercial success, grossing over $171 million worldwide against a $20 million budget. The film was nominated for two Golden Raspberry Awards, including Worst Picture, but also received a nomination for the Academy Award for Best Original Song for "Kokomo."

Despite the critical panning, the film has become a cult classic, particularly for its depiction of flair bartending, which inspired a generation of bartenders to incorporate tricks and showmanship into their craft. The film's influence can be seen in the rise of cocktail culture in the 1990s and 2000s, and it is often referenced in popular culture. Tom Cruise's performance, though criticized at the time, has been reassessed by some as a quintessential example of 1980s movie stardom.

The film's soundtrack, released by Elektra Records, featured the hit single "Kokomo" by the Beach Boys, which reached number one on the Billboard Hot 100 and was nominated for a Grammy Award. The song's success helped the soundtrack album achieve platinum status. Other tracks included "Don't Worry, Be Happy" by Bobby McFerrin, which had been released earlier, and "Hippy Hippy Shake" by the Georgia Satellites.

The film also popularized the image of the "flair bartender," leading to the establishment of the World Flair Association and international competitions. The phrase "cocktail" itself became associated with a certain lifestyle, and the film's tagline, "When he pours, he reigns," became iconic. The movie's influence extended to fashion, with the Hawaiian shirts worn by Cruise and Brown becoming a trend. In 2018, the film was selected for preservation in the United States National Film Registry by the Library of Congress, recognizing its cultural, historical, and aesthetic significance.

One of the lesser-known facts about Cocktail is that the character of Doug Coughlin was based on a real bartender named John "Jack" McGarry, who was known for his flamboyant style. The film's famous "flair" scenes were choreographed by a professional bartender named John Bandy, who also appeared as an extra. Additionally, the bar where Brian works in New York was actually a real establishment called "The Red Parrot," which has since closed.

The film's script went through several revisions, with an early draft featuring a darker ending in which Brian dies. The studio insisted on a happier conclusion, leading to the romantic finale. Tom Cruise performed many of his own stunts, including a scene where he flips a bottle and catches it behind his back. The film's title was originally going to be "The Bartender," but was changed to Cocktail to emphasize the glamorous lifestyle. The movie also featured a cameo by the band The B-52's, who performed "Love Shack" in a bar scene, though the performance was cut from the final release.

Flair bartending

The practice of entertaining patrons with juggling, flipping, and other tricks while preparing drinks.

Kokomo

A song by the Beach Boys, written for the film, which became a number-one hit.

National Film Registry

A list of films selected for preservation in the United States Library of Congress due to their cultural, historical, or aesthetic significance.