Cocktail (1988 film)

Cocktail
Theatrical release poster
Directed by	Roger Donaldson
Produced by	Ted Field Robert W. Cort
Screenplay by	Heywood Gould
Based on	Cocktail by Heywood Gould
Starring	Tom Cruise Bryan Brown Elisabeth Shue
Music by	J. Peter Robinson
Cinematography	Dean Semler
Edited by	Neil Travis
Production companies	Touchstone Pictures Silver Screen Partners III Interscope Communications
Distributed by	Buena Vista Pictures
Release date	July 29, 1988 (1988-07-29)
Running time	103 minutes
Country	United States
Language	English
Budget	$20 million
Box office	$171.5 million

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Cocktail is a 1988 American romantic comedy-drama film directed by Roger Donaldson and written by Heywood Gould, whose screenplay was based on his book of the same name. The film tells the story of a young New York City business student, Brian Flanagan, who takes up bartending in order to make ends meet.

The film stars Tom Cruise, Bryan Brown, and Elisabeth Shue. Released by Touchstone Pictures, the film features an original music score composed by J. Peter Robinson.

After leaving the United States Army and moving back home to New York City, Brian Flanagan gets a part-time job as a bartender at City Tavern by night while studying for a business degree by day. Over time, he learns the tricks of the trade, including flairing, from his boss/mentor Doug Coughlin. Brian and Doug soon become very close; Doug readily assumes a mentor role over the young and naive Brian, and rains advice and opinions down upon him. His advice takes a familiar structure, as he usually begins most of them with "Coughlin's Law".

While Brian has high personal aspirations, Doug is leery of the notion of starting their own bar together. Doug intends to call his bar "Cocktails & Dreams".

Eventually, Brian and Doug's bartending act becomes popular and they end up working at a trendy nightclub catering to New York's wealthy and elite. As their popularity rises, Brian becomes the focus of attention from a sultry brunette named Coral. Quickly, their friendship becomes sexual. Doug is alarmed that Coral is coming between their work partnership and bets him Coral will leave him by week's end, essentially doubting there is anything special about the seemingly perfect relationship shared between the two. Unknown to Brian, Doug lies to Coral about secrets being shared by Brian about her, tricking her into sleeping with him. He secures his bet by sharing a passionate kiss with Coral while at work in the bar in front of Brian. Coral then tells Brian he should never have discussed their love life with Doug and so he is dumped. Brian is very upset and fights with Doug at work, essentially ending his informal partnership with Doug.