“You see, there are two kinds of people in this world: the workers and the hustlers. The hustlers never work and the workers never hustle.”
– Doug Coughlin (Cocktail)
I feel like the movie Cocktail does not get the credit it should. Regardless of your personal feelings toward Tom Cruise, this was a fun and entertaining movie. It is not action packed, but what it lacks in action, it makes up for with the comedy and witty banter. Tom Cruise and Bryan Brown together makes for a fantastic comedic duo.
Cocktail follows a recently discharged soldier named Brian that is returning home with the hopes of making millions. He is smart, ambitious, determined, and charismatic. Unfortunately, he doesn’t have a college degree. He is a smooth talking hustler, but due to his lack of a college education, the corporate world dismisses him.
He tries going to school and working at a bar, but as it turns out, the classroom is not the right learning environment for him. The bar is run by a hustler named Doug and he sees potential in Brian. He takes him under his wing and teaches him all he knows about the bar business. Drama ensues and tough choices have to be made.
What I like most about Cocktail is that it is about a veteran that doesn’t fully understand the reliance on what the general public considers a “formal education” and is determined to succeed. Even if that means doing it his own way and making things up as he goes. He reads to understand, but he also understands that books and education will only get you so far. It all counts for nothing if you don’t take action.
Cocktail asks you the serious questions. The question we all need to ask ourselves. What is it that drives you? Why is that so important? Is there more than one thing that is important to you? Are there other ways to accomplish these tasks outside what is considered normal? Most importantly, shouldn’t you be enjoying your life along the way?
Journeyman's Legacy 