Cocktail
Intent on becoming a successful businessman, and even a millionaire, the ex-military man, Brian Flanagan, waits for his big break while serving drinks at a New York City tavern, and studying for his degree. However, when the charismatic cynic and veteran bartender, Doug Coughlin, becomes the ambitious Brian's sage mentor, their chemistry, combined with the flamboyant tricks behind the bar, will soon yield fame and money until they decide to split ways. Now, as Flanagan struggles to raise money in Jamaica to open his dream bar someday, he falls hard for the striving waitress, Jordan Mooney, while a wealthy fashion executive wants to take him back to Manhattan to live with her. Is there a future between Brian and Jordan?
Despite a mid-range budget of $20.0M, Cocktail became a commercial juggernaut, earning $171.5M worldwide—a remarkable 758% return.
5 wins & 6 nominations
Plot Structure
Story beats plotted across runtime
Narrative Arc
Emotional journey through the story's key moments
Story Circle
Blueprint 15-beat structure
Arcplot Score Breakdown
Weighted: Precision (70%) + Arc (15%) + Theme (15%)
Cocktail (1988) exemplifies deliberately positioned narrative architecture, characteristic of Roger Donaldson's storytelling approach. This structural analysis examines how the film's 15-point plot structure maps to proven narrative frameworks across 1 hour and 44 minutes. With an Arcplot score of 7.5, the film showcases strong structural fundamentals.
Structural Analysis
The Status Quo at 1 minutes (1% through the runtime) establishes Brian Flanagan arrives in New York City with dreams of business success, showing his ambition and naivety about the corporate world.. Structural examination shows that this early placement immediately immerses viewers in the story world.
The inciting incident occurs at 12 minutes when Brian gets his first bartending job and discovers his natural talent for flair bartending, opening a new world of possibilities beyond his business school dreams.. At 12% through the film, this Disruption aligns precisely with traditional story structure. This beat shifts the emotional landscape, launching the protagonist into the central conflict.
The First Threshold at 26 minutes marks the transition into Act II, occurring at 25% of the runtime. This shows the protagonist's commitment to Brian fully commits to the bartending lifestyle and partnership with Doug, choosing flair and fame over traditional business success. They become NYC's hottest bartending duo., moving from reaction to action.
At 52 minutes, the Midpoint arrives at 50% of the runtime—precisely centered, creating perfect narrative symmetry. The analysis reveals that this crucial beat Brian and Doug's partnership implodes over a woman and competing ambitions. Doug leaves for Jamaica, and Brian's relationship with Jordan becomes strained by his inability to commit., fundamentally raising what's at risk. The emotional intensity shifts, dividing the narrative into clear before-and-after phases.
The Collapse moment at 78 minutes (75% through) represents the emotional nadir. Here, Doug dies in a drowning accident. Brian loses his best friend and mentor, forcing him to confront the emptiness of his ambitions and the cost of his choices., indicates the protagonist at their lowest point. This beat's placement in the final quarter sets up the climactic reversal.
The Second Threshold at 83 minutes initiates the final act resolution at 80% of the runtime. Brian discovers Kerry only wanted him as a boy toy, not a partner. He finally understands Doug's wisdom and realizes Jordan represented real love. He chooses authenticity over ambition., demonstrating the transformation achieved throughout the journey.
Emotional Journey
Cocktail's emotional architecture traces a deliberate progression across 15 carefully calibrated beats.
Narrative Framework
This structural analysis employs a 15-point narrative structure framework that maps key story moments. By mapping Cocktail against these established plot points, we can identify how Roger Donaldson utilizes or subverts traditional narrative conventions. The plot point approach reveals not only adherence to structural principles but also creative choices that distinguish Cocktail within the comedy genre.
Roger Donaldson's Structural Approach
Among the 13 Roger Donaldson films analyzed on Arcplot, the average structural score is 7.2, reflecting strong command of classical structure. Cocktail represents one of the director's most structurally precise works. For comparative analysis, explore the complete Roger Donaldson filmography.
Comparative Analysis
Additional comedy films include The Ministry of Ungentlemanly Warfare, The Bad Guys and Lake Placid. For more Roger Donaldson analyses, see The World's Fastest Indian, The Recruit and Species.
Plot Points by Act
Act I
SetupStatus Quo
Brian Flanagan arrives in New York City with dreams of business success, showing his ambition and naivety about the corporate world.
Theme
Doug Coughlin tells Brian about bartending philosophy: "Everything ends badly, otherwise it wouldn't end" - establishing the theme about ambition, success, and what truly matters.
Worldbuilding
Brian struggles to find legitimate business work, discovers he can't afford business school, and learns the world of New York bartending from Doug Coughlin.
Disruption
Brian gets his first bartending job and discovers his natural talent for flair bartending, opening a new world of possibilities beyond his business school dreams.
Resistance
Doug mentors Brian in the art of bartending and womanizing. Brian debates whether this flashy lifestyle is what he really wants versus his original business ambitions.
Act II
ConfrontationFirst Threshold
Brian fully commits to the bartending lifestyle and partnership with Doug, choosing flair and fame over traditional business success. They become NYC's hottest bartending duo.
Mirror World
Brian meets Jordan Mooney, a strong-willed artist who challenges his superficial lifestyle and represents authentic connection versus his player mentality.
Premise
Brian and Doug live the high life as celebrity bartenders, Brian pursues Jordan while maintaining his playboy ways, tension builds between authentic love and superficial success.
Midpoint
Brian and Doug's partnership implodes over a woman and competing ambitions. Doug leaves for Jamaica, and Brian's relationship with Jordan becomes strained by his inability to commit.
Opposition
Brian escapes to Jamaica, reunites with Doug, and they plan to open their own bar. Brian meets Kerry, a wealthy tourist, seeing her as his ticket to business success. His ambition corrupts his judgment.
Collapse
Doug dies in a drowning accident. Brian loses his best friend and mentor, forcing him to confront the emptiness of his ambitions and the cost of his choices.
Crisis
Brian processes Doug's death while continuing his hollow pursuit of Kerry and wealth, realizing he's repeating his mistakes and has lost what truly mattered - genuine connection.
Act III
ResolutionSecond Threshold
Brian discovers Kerry only wanted him as a boy toy, not a partner. He finally understands Doug's wisdom and realizes Jordan represented real love. He chooses authenticity over ambition.
Synthesis
Brian returns to New York, tracks down Jordan, and discovers she's pregnant with his child. He fights to prove he's changed and win her back, committing to real responsibility and love.
Transformation
Brian opens his own bar named after Doug, with Jordan and their baby. He's found success on his own terms - not through wealth or fame, but through love, family, and authentic purpose.