5.8/10
67,209
107 user 53 critic

Cocktail (1988)

A talented New York City bartender takes a job at a bar in Jamaica and falls in love.

Director:

Writer:

(screenplay)
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Popularity
3,534 ( 89)

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Nominated for 1 Golden Globe. Another 5 wins & 5 nominations. See more awards »
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Cast

Cast overview, first billed only:
...
...
...
...
...
...
Kerry Coughlin
...
Coral
...
Robert Donley ...
Eddie
...
...
Dulcy (as Andrea Morse)
...
Soldier
...
Soldier (as Justin Louis)
John Graham ...
Soldier
Richard Thorn ...
Soldier
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Storyline

With dreams of becoming a successful businessman and even a millionaire, the ex-military man, Brian Flanagan, waits for his big break while serving drinks at a New York City tavern and studying for his degree. However, when the charismatic cynic and veteran bartender, Doug Coughlin, becomes the ambitious Brian's sage mentor, their chemistry combined with the flamboyant tricks behind the bar will soon yield fame and money until they decide to split ways. Eventually, as Flanagan struggles to raise money in Jamaica to open his own bar someday, he will fall hard for the striving waitress Jordan Mooney, while a wealthy fashion executive wants to take him back to Manhattan to live with her. Is there a future between Brian and Jordan? Written by Nick Riganas

Plot Summary | Add Synopsis

Taglines:

They thought he was good, they were wrong... he was the best See more »

Genres:

Comedy | Drama | Romance

Certificate:

R | See all certifications »

Parents Guide:

 »
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Details

Country:

Release Date:

29 July 1988 (USA)  »

Also Known As:

The Bartender  »

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Box Office

Budget:

$20,000,000 (estimated)

Opening Weekend USA:

$11,789,466, 31 July 1988, Wide Release

Gross USA:

$78,222,753

Cumulative Worldwide Gross:

$171,504,781
See more on IMDbPro »

Company Credits

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Technical Specs

Runtime:

Sound Mix:

Color:

(Metrocolor)

Aspect Ratio:

1.85 : 1
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Did You Know?

Trivia

Riffed by Michael J Nelson from MST3K, under the Rifftrax name. See more »

Goofs

When Brian and Doug are singing Chantilly lace, Doug falls down a flight of stairs and there is clearly a large puddle of water to the right of where Doug lands. In the next shot when you see Doug get back up there is NO puddle. See more »

Quotes

[first lines]
Brian: Come on, put it to the floor! Come on! Let's go!
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Soundtracks

Inside Job
Written, Performed, and Produced by Michael Lanning and Rick Bell
Courtesy of Sounds of Film, Ltd.
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User Reviews

 
Theoretically, Flawless in its Design
13 September 2005 | by See all my reviews

Cocktail is a lot of things. It's a classic love story about finding the right "rich chick". It's a sorted tale about an aging down on his luck bartender who finds a reason to live. And it's also a feel good film. It teaches you how to respect the desire. Be careful around Elisabeth Shue. "And pretty soon, days get shorter and shorter, nights longer and longer, before you know it, life is just one long night with a few comatose daylight hours." And in the end, no matter how shitty you are to people, they will always forgive you. Bryan Browns masterpiece and Cruise is electric. It's another one of those movies you could watch over and over. And in a little while, your want to watch it again. If anyone hasn't seen this movie and doesn't plan on it, than they are just retarded. Do yourself a favor, run down to the store and buy it. You'll thank me.


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