Cocktail Movie Review – 2.5/5

Cocktail Movie Review – In Brief

Three friends dig into the idea of love, heart-break and relationship.

Cocktail MovieReview – Verdict

The film has huge visual appeal but a predictable story-line.

Cocktail Movie Review – Story Plot

Saif Ali Khan as Gautam Kapoor is the disobedient Casanova who hits a friendship with self-confessed ‘rich bitch’ Veronica played by Deepika Padukone and Meera (Diana Penty), a conventional Indian woman, who has been betrayed by her husband Kunal (Randeep Hooda). Although Gautam and Veronica have a ‘friends with benefits’ relationship, the Saif is compelled to lie to his mother Kavita played by Dimple Kapadia, that he is going out with Meera (as Meera is more traditional and Kavita approves of her).

As Gautam and Meera are obliged to pass time together to set up an appearance, the duo experiences attraction to each other, which creates complications when the so far wild kid Veronica also falls for Gautam and dreams of a future with him. How the three of them pull off  with these consequences makes the rest of the story…

Cocktail Movie Review – Performances

At the very beginning, it should be noted that audience who have matured reading Archie comics might get a jolt of deja vu when they check this film. Gautam is Archie whereas Veronica and Meera play Veronica and Betty respectively. Saif Ali Khan as Gautam is sure to remind you of the characters he has acted in films like ‘Love Aaj Kal’ and ‘Dil Chahta Hai’  and there is nothing that he really brings to the table as such. Diana Penty might have a fresh face but she really needs to polish up on her acting skills. However, it is Deepika Padukone as Veronica who makes quite an impact. Padukone, who normally has a ‘girl next door’ image, has altered herself into a hot and glamorous avatar for ‘Cocktail’, which is certain to set temperatures moving up in the movie theatre. Apart from the aforementioned trio, we have Boman Irani as Gautam’s uncle and needless to say, the veteran Irani is flawless as ever. Dimple Kapadia plays the conventional loud Punjabi mother, but is quite adorable in her own way. Watch out for the scenes involving interactions between Saif, Boman and Dimple…a few chuckles are guaranteed!

Cocktail Movie Review – Direction

As mentioned earlier, the movie is a grown-up version of the Archie comic series. Though Adajania has rise up with a movie that is visually appealing and colourful, the story unfortunately is as predictable as can be. Furthermore, the process of the characters falling in love with each other is not quite convincing. Why does Gautam, who looks at Meera more as a platonic friend (in spite of the harmless flirting), abruptly fall for her is something that is not really explained. Moreover, Veronica, who is quite happy with her wild party girl image and her ‘no strings attached’ relationship with Gautam, too falls heels over head in love with him overnight and shapes herself into a traditional Indian girl to win his heart. The plot about an hero, who might sleep with a different girl everyday but still falls in love with a distictive bhartiya nari types appears a bit preachy, not to mention predictable and stereotypical. The first half of the film goes by quite breezily though the same cannot be said for the second half.

Cocktail Movie Review – Technical

The story may be predictable and without any real surprises, but Adajania and his team gets full credit as far as visual appeal goes. The cinematography, the writing and the way the songs have been shot are quite easy on the eyes. The film does have a fresh and colourful look and the music too is quite decent, particularly the tumhi ho bandhu number, which will make you knock your feet and hum along…

Cocktail Movie Review – Final Word

Do watch out ‘Cocktail’ for the new and yuppy look, as well as Deepika Padukone’s red-hot avatar, though demanding too much as far as the plot is referred, may let you down.