Despite being a rewatchable and quotable movie, when it was originally released Cocktail wasn’t received well critically and Cocktail ended up winning two Golden Raspberry Awards for Worst Picture and Worst Screenplay while also being nominated for Worst Actor and Worst Director. As of 2024 Tom Cruise is the only actor to star in a Worst Picture Razzie winner and Best Picture Oscar winner in the same year (Cocktail and Rainman). It should also be noted that Cocktail was the 8th highest grossing film of 1988 while Rainman was the highest grossing film.

Cocktail has always been one of my favourite movies (not my all time favourite) and it’s been ages since I last watched it. I know it might be a strange thing to say but I’ve always thought that the font used in the opening credits couldn’t be more 80’s if it tried.
As you’d expect Cruise was charming but his performance was by the numbers and the role of Brian Flanagan didn’t challenge him that much. I always loved the introduction of the character of Doug Coughlin, I’ve always enjoyed Brian Brown’s performance and the chemistry he had with Cruise. Considering that the movie is supposed to be a romantic comedy Elizabet Shue needed a slightly more substantial role as her character Jordan seems to get lost in the movie’s third act, and the ending seems a little rushed.