Tom Cruise stars as Brian Flanagan, who is fresh out the army and finding that landing an executive job in the big city isn't as easy as he thought. Taking on a course for a business degree, he winds up working part time at a cocktail bar under the tutelage of bar tending philosopher Doug Coughlin (Bryan Brown). A new world is about to open up for both of them.

Right, I have the softest of soft spots for this movie. That doesn't mean I'm not aware of its many failings, most notably the heavy weight of predictability that pounds down on the head from the very first frame. But as simple as it may be (oh this is plot line simplicity decorated in flashy booze bottle twiddling), and the obvious cash in on Cruise's box office appeal that it was (note that his next film was the considerable shift to Rain Man), it's fun (thanks to Bryan Brown's mugging) and sweetly romantic (thanks to Elisabeth Shue being sweetly romantic). Yeah it's a hard sell I know! But Cruise charms in a way that has his haters swigging the Alabama Slammers by the dozen, and guys! Kelly Lynch pops up wearing a thong. Yeah I'm pretty shallow where Cocktail is concerned, sue me...

All together now, "This magic moment" 6.5/10

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.

Tom Cruise what a performance , I think he touched all four bases with this one,, however Bryan Brown steals the show for me,, add in Gina Gershon and Elisabeth Shue, what's not to like,, a college student trying to make money has trouble finding a job,, so he finds a bar to work at part-time while he goes to school,, their he meets an older gentleman who gives him a chance to be the bartender, he learns all the tricks of the trade and things seem to be looking up for our main character, he plans on marrying his sweetheart but he has trouble managing his relationship,, the bar, and going to school,, things start going a little south for our mentor as well, when he get's involved with a woman that he really shouldn't, this movie is well packed with some action,, some lighthearted moments, a lot of serious moments,, and tons of laughter,, this is one of tom cruise's better earlier efforts I felt,, what an enjoyable movie to watch,