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Cocktail (R, 1988)

common sense media says

Traditional values trump glitz. Not for kids.

parents & educators say
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What parents need to know

Parents need to know that sex and alcohol consumption play a large part in this movie; the R rating is appropriate. The film features simulated sex with two different women, with little nudity. There are a couple of fistfights, and the aftermath of a suicide is shown. Excessive drinking is integral to the movie's plot and yet there are no particular consequences beyond a hangover.

Positive messages: Alcohol consumption is excessive and done with little consequence. Education is deemed important. However, classes and teachers are shown as boring and irrelevant. The hero eventually chooses love over money.
Violence: Barroom brawls and a suicide.
Sex: Simulated sex with two different women, with little nudity.
Language: Very strong language,
Consumerism: Brands of alcoholic drinks are shown but not referred to by brand name.
Drinking, drugs, & smoking: The movie's plot revolves around alcohol.
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What to talk about

Talk to your kids
Families can talk about what Brian learns from the suicide of his best friend and mentor. How does Doug's death inspire him to work hard to attain his dream? Families may also want to discuss the role of alcohol in this film. How is it glamorized? Is there an overall good message to the film?

What's the story?

What's the story?

Charismatic Doug Coughlin (Bryan Brown) trains ambitious Brian Flanagan (Tom Cruise) to become a flamboyantly successful New York bartender. Their flashy drink-mixing antics gain them work in a fashionable club, but they fight over a woman and Brian leaves to work in Jamaica, where he meets and falls in love with struggling artist-and-waitress Jordan Mooney. Greed wins out and Brian winds up shacking up with a rich fashion exec instead. Wracked with guilt, he seeks out Jordan only to find her pregnant with his child, secretly rich, and unwilling to take him back. With some tragic events that follow, Brian ultimately realizes what is truly valuable in life.

Is it any good?

Is it any good?
 

COCKTAIL is essentially as 1980s shallow as the soundtrack music. There are some amusing one-liners, mostly delivered by Doug attempting to impart wisdom to his protégé through Coughlin's laws of bartending. The acrobatic drink-mixing scenes are great fun, but treat the consumption of alcohol superficially. Parents might want to address this issue with their teens while viewing the film.

Movie themes & details

Movie Details
Studio: Buena Vista
Director: Roger Donaldson
Cast: Elisabeth Shue, Gina Gershon, Tom Cruise
Genre: Drama
Run time: 99 minutes
Theatrical release: July 29, 1988
DVD release: June 16, 2002
MPAA Rating: R
MPAA explanation: language
This review was written by Jenny Doughty
 
 

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Most useful reviews by all members

jazzyjammrz
teen, 18 years old
 
Not an 'R'
I would rate this movie a PG-13. The language isn't THAT horrible. The violence is brief compared to other movies out today. Wow a fistfight. Woopee. It's a good movie with a good lesson. A guy cheats on his girlfriend but feels absolutely horrible about it, especially after he finds out she's pregnant.It's not a bad movie.
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ON: Content is appropriate for kids this age.
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