Cocktail

Cocktail delivers exactly what it promises. It's a standard romantic comedy. There are times when it becomes a bad one, but it mostly remains a goo... read more

Cocktail delivers exactly what it promises. It's a standard romantic comedy. There are times when it becomes a bad one, but it mostly remains a good one (sometimes becoming a very good one). A film like Cocktail is what I call, a hype/expectation film. The vehement marketing makes everyone expect the treasure chest to burst open and make all of us rich with the greatest film ever made. Inevitably, the swords are drawn out and the entire nation plays the critic. Bad word of mouth is bound to be generated, whatever the box office result or the actual film may be. Cocktail is not the best romantic comedy but it's an unconventional one, and largely a successful one.

We are introduced to Gautam (Saif) and Meera (Diana). Then starts a fun credit sequence with Angreji Beat blaring on the soundtrack. Veronica (Deepika) and Meera move in together and soon become best friends. Gautam and Veronica begin a relationship, which is centered on casual sex. Gautams mother shows up at the flat, which makes up for a hilarious scene. Soon, Meera is put forth as his girlfriend to stall Mummy Ji. The parts after this are smooth sailing with some great laughs (Mummy ji says menopause casually and later performs CPR). But lo and behold! Meera and Gautam end up falling in movie love! I mean, true love.

Cocktail has a few minuses. We never see the characters at their workplace much. I don't remember seeing Gautams house. Gautam is the flirt, Meera is the good Indian girl, Veronica is the modern NRI girl. You dont have to be Einstein to know these are blatant stereotypes. At some point I even felt how regressive it was for the characters to think being Indian is being wife material. In turn, being wife material is knowing how to cook, wear Indian clothing and pray to a Hindu idol. And boys, after you find true love, you automatically stop screwing around. Then there is the most obnoxious one: The good old plot device, when you don't know where the story is going, trying killing a character!

Albeit, Cocktail works. The characters learn how to strike a balance. They learn how to not cry over spilled milk and make amends. Nobody acts the saint, they even tell each other they aren't. They learn how to blend in with each other, like a Cocktail mixes different forms of alcohol. The film becomes a very good one due to its honest dialogues. For every predictable dramatic scenario, there are conversations and situations, which reveal unexpected novelty. There are awkward moments that dont seem like usual Bollywood material. The silences are used to brilliant effect. The songs are appropriately used. From the borrowed songs like Angreji Beat and Jugni, to the original ones: Tumhi Ho Bandhu and Yaariyaan.

The prime reason why the film works is Veronica, who is surprisingly human. She tries to act chilled out, fails, becomes a bitch and in time, realizes her mistake. She is the only one with a character arc and her actions are perfectly plausible. Deepika Padukone has been seen in Love Aaj Kal and Break Ke Baad doing her funny drunk-girl routine. Although, this time the drunk words become sober thoughts. She is not happy-high this time. The club scene where she has brief moments of feeling alone is remarkable. Deepika could have easily done the role of Diana Penty, the heroine who ends up with the hero. But she didn't. In fact, I'm glad she didn't.

Mind you, I thoroughly enjoyed films like Jab We Met, Jaane Tu Ya Jaane Na, Love Aaj Kal, Wake Up Sid, Band Baaja Baarat, I Hate Luv Storys, Break Ke Baad and Ek Main Aur Ekk Tu. Some films are better than the others but the relationships these films deal with are decidedly urban. The problems of these characters may be juvenile but they are more true to life than a Rab Ne Bana Di Jodi. This is the kind of mess the younguns get into. I genuinely also believe Bollywood has been making better romantic comedies than Hollywood has in the past few years. For example, Something Borrowed (2011) - this film has a plot which matches Cocktail's almost exactly but it is not the better film. I count myself as the target audience for a film like Cocktail and I did not come out thinking I saw a bad film. Didn't care much for Meera and Gautam's romance but cared for Veronica.

I don't associate the word masterpiece with the genre of romantic comedy anyway. It will never offer great films and never has. Cocktail is like a fun night. If you drink responsibly, you can have fun and not have a hangover tthe next day. Nobody wants to puke but everybody wants to drink like a fish. Thats where the expectation film suffers. This film isnt the most fun you will ever have, but its a regular fun. Im okay with that. I dont expect every party to be the greatest party in history. Glass half full or half empty, you decide.

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Cocktail is the best example of the change Bollywood is going through, one one hand fresh new storytelling is raising its head while time tested fo... read more

Cocktail is the best example of the change Bollywood is going through, one one hand fresh new storytelling is raising its head while time tested formula is ready to engulf any flashes of ingenuity. It is this inherent flaw that makes Homi Adjanias second outing as a director a decent film and not a great one.

Circumstances get Veronica, Meera and Gautam to end up living under the same roof. Gautam and Veronica friends with benefits while she and Meera are BFF sorts. Conforming to the classic love triangle clich, Veronica falls for Gautam while he is smitten by Meera.

So whats new? Writer Imtiaz Ali gives each of the three characters delicious vulnerability. His now proven finesse at fleshing out relationships and its nuances is on display again as beyond the commercial glamor and playing to the gallery; Cocktail is a fresh and neat analysis of Bollywoods eternal favorite themes, friendship and love.

A deft script in the hands of a director whose last film was the dark Being Cyrus ensures that for the most part, the film is not the conventional Hindi rom-com. Adjania reigns in the melodrama, keeps the pace crisp and the emotions raw. This, till an on screen accident actually plunges the story into a spiral of predictable sappiness. Both Imtiaz and Adjania seem to have succumbed to the demands of commercial cinema as the films last half hour is so cheesy one wonders if it was the same film one started watching in the first place.

While on one hand the duo sugar coat clichs and provide characters wit rich texture, one is also surprised at how the lead females are pigeonholed into 80s bollywood molds- the easy fast Veronica vs the goody two shoes Meera. Why does the wavy haired one always have to sacrifice and why is a happy ending always necessary? One might never know.

A lot of Cocktail is also enjoyable because of the wonderful performances. Saif reprises his safe tried and tested role- urbane, suave, witty and oojing charm as he himself states in one of the scenes. Diana is commendable considering she brings alive an otherwise lazily written colorless character. The film however belongs to Deepika who goes much beyond her mannequin like stance and good looks. She gets under the skin of Veronica , smoldering hot yet emotionally needy girl, and comes out with flying colors in every scene. She has some of the meatiest lines and portions in the story and makes the most of it. Dimple Kapadia as Gautams loud mother shows why she is a class apart always in the small yet memorable part she has in the film.

In all the foreign locales, good music and designer wear, what one misses here is the edgy Adjania touch that made Being Cyrus such a treat to watch.

While the former was a few steps forward for Indian cinema, Cocktail is a small crawl away from the comfortable security of commercial monotony, trying to tell an old story differently, only to come back to Bollywoodville like a chastised young brat. Perhaps for now, we need to be content with just this much. Perhaps it is not yet time for hindi films to have three broken hearts in the same film.

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LOVE in the movies it means different things to different people at different times. Always inspires (think a shower of rupees on the producers/di... read more

LOVE in the movies it means different things to different people at different times. Always inspires (think a shower of rupees on the producers/directors head) film makers to attempt it again and again. If done well it always works at the box office. It makes 40 year olds act like teenagers (insert Saif Ali Khan). Opens doors to newcomers (Diana Penty) and makes sure that our heroines have a good shelf life (Deepika Padukone).

Deepika Padukone is the only one out of the three who gets a grand hero like entry sequence. It starts off well with all the 'by now trademark' Imtiaz Ali characters and dialogues. The relationship between Deepika and Diana are well established and nicely executed with even a hint of this friendship could have become a lesbian love story.

But then drops in the kabab mein haddi. Our hero/producer Saif Ali Khan acting all goofy and doing what he is really good at since he discovered that talent in Dil Chahta hai.

It all flows smoothly till interval point throwing in one night stands, fuck buddys and other such progressive thoughts at the audience at the same time contradicting itself with stereotypical characterization, like the one who is wild is not biwi/bahu material and the one who is seedhi saadhi but becomes wild once in a while is perfect shaadi/love material.

Two women and one man living together are reason enough to create a love triangle and cocktail tries to attempt to bring in some freshness to the over abused theme but the ingredients dont match up too well.
While it takes two steps forward with certain scenes and ideas, it takes a step backwards with some clichd devices to find a suitable solution to the conflict.

What it definitely did was that for the first time I liked Deepika Padukone and her portrayal of Veronica. I saw the film from her point of view and so was rooting for her all along.

Saif is safe as usual in a role like this and clap clap for being a sport and doing that mad sheela ki jawani scene.

Diana Penty with her looks is a mashup of Riya Sen and Deepika Padukone. She looks good and puts up a commendable debut performance.

Amongst all this I didnt find Homi Adajania. All I could see was Imtiaz Ali. I wonder if Imtiaz had directed this film would he have dealt with the 2nd half differently?

Word of mouth Two steps forward. One step backward. More of a Mocktail than a Cocktail but still worth a try. Nasha nahi hua par thoda mazaa zaroor aaya.

Rating *** (above average)

Ticket meter worth 150 bucks
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When I go out partying I always order a Caipiroska. I know what goes in it and I love the taste. And when it is well made the pleasure I get from i... read more

When I go out partying I always order a Caipiroska. I know what goes in it and I love the taste. And when it is well made the pleasure I get from it makes me order it each time rather than try something new. Cocktail is just like that. You know what will happen almost to the scene, you can predict a few of the dialogues before they are spoken (that also may be because the movie is too much like Love Aaj Kal) but yet it takes away nothing from the experience. It may not enhance it but you leave the theater a happy person.

Cocktail is about Love, Friendship and Sacrifice. Gautam, Veronica and Meera are 3 pals. Gautam is a flirt, Veronica a party animal and Meera a conservative introvert. Gautam and Veronica have a casual romance going, Meera cant stand Gautam but when they have to pretend they are engaged to please Gautams mother, they actually fall in love. Problem is Veronica falls in love with Gautam too and then complications and resolutions follow.

The movie starts in a sort of scattered manner and you are left wondering about what is happening for a bit. But then it is total fun and games seasoned liberally with some good peppy songs and some hilariously mad scenes. The second half is a bit slow as the story gets serious and then ends rather tamely.

I seem to remember Being Cyrus (Homi Adajnias first movie) as a dark edgy kind of movie. He does not bring any of that uniqueness or his distinct touch to this movie. (except for one very funny scene where his Bawa genes get the better of him).Cocktail has nothing unusual in its direction or treatment and the way its been done could have been done by any Assistant Director. The shots of London at night and Cape Town are great and stand out in comparison to this predictability.

Saif is in his element being the flirty lover boy. His comic timing as usual is perfect and he charms you. Deepika Padukone looks drop dead gorgeous. Her eyes light up every frame she is in and she is even getting better in the acting department. Diana Penty makes a creditable debut. Her body language is a bit awkward but it suits the character of the shy timid girl she plays. Boman Irani and Dimple Kapadia have small roles, which they bite into with relish.

Overall, its a fun movie to watch. You laugh, you sigh, you tap your feet, chomp your popcorn, leave the theatre and slip back into your routine feeling pleasantly happy. All cocktails dont lead to head banging wild parties. Some just help you wind down and feel good. I would say cheers to that.
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For all the spunk that the trailers generously promised wherein the characters induced alarmingly adorable chemistry, Cocktail is half-stirred or r... read more

For all the spunk that the trailers generously promised wherein the characters induced alarmingly adorable chemistry, Cocktail is half-stirred or rather half-cool. It is a victim of superficial writing which indicates an obvious craving to be cool. Imtiaz Alis script is filled with characters which are his staple favorites, the mango people that he is practiced in fleshing out; but he forgets that it doesnt work each time and there is an urgent need for reinvention within the pseudo-reality of Mr Ali.

The film has an interesting set-up and somewhere near the middle, a neat conflict is dramatically established as well, but then it is as if Ali suddenly feels a touch of nostalgia spreading through in the boulevards of familiar London, and we have an uncooked recipe but a ready dish which reads on the placards as Love Aaj Kal 2
Gautam (Saif Ali Khan) is a compulsive flirt who cannot stably stand at a safe distance from any pretty looking woman. It could be the stewardess (Mia Udeya in a stunner of a cameo), or a stranger randomly on the street. It is as if there is a clinical disorder, because his mannerisms are over-exaggerated and tricks pretty High School.

The man certainly doesnt look the part and the effort is embarrassingly evident, but we can bargain the wrinkles as it isnt mandatory a 20-something be the only way a Casanova is recognized at the movies.
Spotting a pretty face at the airport, the man jumps to action. The girl is Meera, an adorable Diana Penty, coming to London the first time ever, carrying mangoes for her supposed husband. Five minutes later shes dumped by Randeep Hooda who has made a business out of this forgery and he reprimands her like an arrogant boss does to the lowest ranking employee. I dont think anybody can even have the heart to be so cruel to a woman like Penty, or Meera rather. She has a self-effacing quality about her; she walks as if the world is doing a favor by accommodating her in the first place. She talks, as if constantly afraid to be misinterpreted.

For the cute meet, the writers are lazy enough and co-incidence is the keyword here. Almost all three of them co-incidentally meet each other. Veronica and Meera meet accidently in the toilet while Meera and Gautam at the airport. From here on, you know the trip. Post-card perfect shots which an adolescent partygoer will enviably approve off neatly cut the screen in order to establish the palpable chemistry while the chartbusting songs try to reaffirm the faith in friendship. This is an interesting theme where the unlikeliest of people become the best of buddies which Id like to substantially see more off, but the film is too impatient and morally conscious to adhere to clich-free threesome. Veronica is the wild cat of the lot; she probably gets paid to attend parties and amuse the crowd with her antics. But why pick a name that hints on her being a Christian, while the law-abiding, temple-worshipping is called Meera?

While the three have one week of fun, when Dimple Kapadia drops by, Saif has to pretend that Penty is the potential wifey and in the fake exercise that follows, you know what happens and who feels shortchanged. Here is precisely where the film starts to drearily swim into the horribly familiar territory of excessive melodrama and the consistency of one key character goes for an absolute toss.

Imtiaz Ali revels in Veronica when shes drowned in alcohol and unapologetically so. Its a daring character whose acts neednt be justified at all leave alone adding shades of enormous guilt. The writer celebrates his heroine and then turns her into a victimized tragic-queen. The ultra-progressive Veronica has an abrupt shift in her moralities and thoughts of Everybody has used me haunt the daylights out of her till she ends in a hospital with a fractured limb. Fracturing her skull would have better explained the sudden moral crisis. From vivaciously carefree she is transformed to a Devdasse vamp out to self-destruct until the man owns up. Extremely regressive. Why cant she not give a damn and still do what she ends up doing?

While Meera is out to be the better person and catches up with Old Hooda who again, unexplainably, is transformed into Mr Darcy-with-a-broken-nose.

What could have been a rare celebration of a very attractive-looking threesome turns into a tedious show of superficial emotions and endless nagging and cursing. The emotions reek of shallowness and you dont even know which character you are rooting for. Maybe youve been caring for Anaita Adjanias uber cool couture all along.

The performances are watchable and some funny moments deserve the share of laughs that they sincerely evoke. But the boldness of theme is awfully lagging behind, and what could be a refreshing take on the coast of Vicky Cristina Barcelona becomes more like a deserted show of Penty Deepika and Melodrama.
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