A breezy first half gives way to a melodramatic, meandering second.
Verdict tier Mixed, lukewarm or divided, on a scale of Unfavorable, Mixed, Recommended, Exceptional.
Critic consensus
Critical reception for Cocktail is mixed, with most reviewers finding it a passable but uneven watch. The first half drew consistent praise for its breezy tone, stylish direction by Homi Adajania, and the performances of the lead cast, particularly Deepika Padukone and newcomer Diana Penty. However, a majority of critics identified the second half as a significant weak point, citing melodrama, a convoluted or directionless plot, and a loss of the energy that distinguished the opening hour. The film was broadly seen as competent and watchable, but falling short of its potential.
Positive = 6.5/10 and up · negative = below 5/10
AI-generated summary of 12 critic reviews · may contain errors
Report inaccuracyFrom the papers
Top critics first, then by score · not-rated last · updated
Top critic
Film review ·
It helps that the material is directed by Homi Adajania, whose first film Being Cyrus was a dark, twisted look at a dysfunctional Parsi family. Adajania keeps it crisp. He reins in the melodrama, until the last half hour when emotions go ballistic and the plot gets needlessly convoluted, and the actors — Saif Ali Khan, Deepika Padukone and Diana Penty — bite into their roles. Cocktail is a fun, romantic romp.
Top critic
Film review ·
Cocktail has just the right mix of fizz and flavour to allow the occasional and inevitable crinkles of triteness to flow well below the surface. It is definitely worth a visit to the multiplex.
Top critic
Film review ·
There's some good stuff in 'Cocktail'. Adajania who's made 'Being Cyrus' with Khan is a director with style. Here, he joins hands with Imtiaz Ali's nifty dialogues, and we are made to feel good by seeing these lovely looking people do the stuff that people do when sex is in the air, and love is around the corner.
Top critic
Film review ·
With the right ingredients in the right proportions, this might have made for a smooth concoction. But Cocktail is a mostly flat romance; one that could've done with more heart.
Top critic
Film review ·
It's a pity, and not just because this could have been the great unconventional cinematic threesome we so desperately need. Cocktail has a handful of moments and a few genuine sparks, but finally crashes and burns so spectacularly that it's hard to focus on the positives. We must thank it, thus, for Diana Penty.
Film review ·
So the story is about a compulsive flirt Gautam (Saif Ali Khan) who gets into a no-strings-attached relationship with the hot-n-happening Veronica (Deepika Padukone). Girl-next-door Meera (Diana Penty) is literally the girl Gautam takes home to his mother (Dimple Kapadia) to cover-up his live-in with Veronica. Until by interval point his heart starts fluttering for Meera. And the rest as they say is 'history'.
Film review ·
On the whole, COCKTAIL has a fascinating first half, charismatic performances, harmonious music and the trendy look and styling as its aces, but the second half is not as tempting or intoxicating as the first hour. It pales when compared to the attention-grabbing first hour. Yet, all said and done, this one's primarily targeted at the Gen Next, especially those in metros, who might identify with the on-screen characters.
Film review ·
You can't hate a film like Cocktail nor can you love it in totality. If you've liked Ali's storytelling before, there's no harm in catching it at least once. Cheers!
Film review ·
For those who have loved Saif and Deepika's 'Love Aajkal', 'Cocktail' will not disappoint you as it has some shades of the former. The storyline of the movie is gripping and will keep you hooked and booked.
Film review ·
Cocktail is a nice and enjoyable movie for the dialogues, songs and performances. But the second half is a real drag.
Film review ·
As far as entertaining storytelling goes, Cocktail is far from being that. As the clock crawls by, the story goes from nothing to nowhere. Even as the first half with its free-spirit, cheerful vibes, and breezy treatment has you savoring the mix and going hic hic hurray, the second half just like a hangover the morning after makes you feel nauseous and dizzy.
Film review ·
Like I said, no fizz, no punch, but a good presentation (read served well in a tall, crystal glass).
From our readers
4 ratings · user score 6.3
It has a free flowing first half like its free bird character of Deepika Padukone but it has confused, melodramatic second half like its other female charcater played by Diana. There is some excellent music, charming Saif Ali Khan and excellent Deepika Padukone who gives her first break out performance.
With the advent of globalisation it wouldn't be prudent to admit that the world has become a smaller place. It could be seen in every walk of life & Bollywood is not to be left behind as evidenced by the splurge of rom coms in the past few years. This week we have one such rom com, "Cocktail", gracing the screens with the male lead essayed by Saif Ali Khan who is undoubtedly the best in that genre. The promos has already created a hype among the youth, but it doesnt seem as if it offers anything different. Hope I am wrong... Gautam (Saif Ali Khan) is an eternal flirt, who doesn't flinch in using his lines to good effect. His latest bed mate was Veronica (Deepika Padukone), a wild hottie who has all the guys swooning for her. Having dealt with a troubled childhood, she was always on the lookout for a good companion until she meets up with the traditional beautiful Indian lass, Meera (Diana Penty). After having learnt that she was a victim of a hoax marriage,Veronica offers her a helping land & they end up sharing the apartment. Things goes along fine between the trio until Gautam's mom Kavitha (Dimple Kapadia) comes to visit them & is made to believe that Meera was going to be her daughter-in-law. What ought to be a convenient arrangement gets all messed up when Cupid strikes between Gautham & Meera. So can they resolve it or will it mean the end of friendship between the trio??? After the off-beat "Being Cyrus" six years back, Homi Adajania is back in the reckoning with his latest venture "Cocktail". Though penned by the talented Imtiaz Ali, the film cant boast of being unique though the visuals by Anil Mehta were lively & colourful. It definitely has its moments in the first half which brings a smile upon the audience, but the latter half was a melodramatic drag. Pritam has done a pretty decent job with "Tumhi Ho Bandhu" rendered by Neeraj Sridhar & Kavita Seth along with "Daaru Desi" by Benny Dayal & Shalmali Kholgadi being the pick among the lot. Though I did mention previously that Saif is a maestro in these kind of films, I think I might have to retract that statement as he seemed to be the weakest amongst the trio. It also could be the lack of zip in the writing as you dont feel amused or surprised by his gags, rather it gives you the feeling that you had seen it all before. Deepika was fantastic as the wild, bindaas female while Diana in addition to having a beautiful face has done a impressive job for a debutant considering that her role was the difficult one. Dimple Kapadia & Boman Irani were first rate while Randeep Hooda was wasted. Verdict: There is no doubt that the film will have an impressive opening courtesy of the catchy promos & chart busting songs. However, the lack lustered second half will hamper its collections tremendously. It will break even but nothing more as it's collections are going to be only from Multiplexes & Overseas market. In short, there's nothing new except the songs!!! Rating: 2.25/5 Regards...Ben
Credits
Deepika PadukoneVeronica D'Costa
Diana PentyMeera Sahni/Kapoor
Saif Ali KhanGautam Kapoor
Randeep HoodaKunal Ahuja (Special Appearance)
Boman IraniRandhir "Randy" Malhotra
Dimple KapadiaKavita KapoorHindi films like Cocktail
SeriesCocktail 2
2026
Being Cyrus
2005
Love Aaj Kal
2009
3 Idiots
2009
Om Shanti Om
2007
Dil Chahta Hai
2001
Happy New Year
2014
Ek Main Aur Ekk Tu
2012
Yeh Jawaani Hai Deewani
2013
Bachna Ae Haseeno
2008
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