A boy meets an immature girl. The boy meets another immature girl. Does that make the boy mature? The tone of the film makes you feel that this is what the filmmakers are implying. But intentionally or not, they touch on a trait that the child has that calls the entire premise into question. If you know so clearly what you want, why do you delay? But that’s not why Cocktail 2 was done. The film wanted to bring some deep conversations to the screen. Almost everything else seems like filler.
Is it even a triangle if one side doesn’t exist?
That the film wanted to have conversations is the most important thing to me. It’s not the norm, right? Stories set in beautiful locations that showcase the urban and/or bohemian lifestyle usually don’t have their heart anywhere in the writing. Here at least there was life in these dialogues between characters. Although you know that the good lines of the first half portend a comeback after the interval. And hey, you know? There’s some meat even in the final monologue.
Aside from that, there’s a spark to the editing that accompanies the titles. It is not just about united moments, but it marks the age and places the time frame of the story. The writing also uses volume well to bring to viewers the catastrophization experienced by a character.
The film’s attempts at humor, however, fall flat. Except for a short, funny scene in which Ally (Kriti Sanon) makes fun of nice guys with movie names, the rest is either slapstick, out of place with the tone of the rest of the movie, or silly innuendos. Shahid Kapoor being taught to dance is funny though!
Aside from that, the broader writing is easy to oversimplify as just another love triangle. I’ve never found the concept of a love triangle appealing, one of those things I don’t understand like horror or sexual antics. Or maybe I haven’t yet found a story that explores the potential for the central character to actually be at the center of the two options. If, from the first moment, you know who they are going to choose, what’s the point? No? Is it even a triangle if one side doesn’t exist?
Especially when you don’t really know the real reason for that choice. Almost always, the person the protagonist decides to go with is the one written most superficially. At least, Cocktail 2 Unlike most others in the genre who take it for granted, Kunal (Shahid Kapoor) “tells us” why he likes who he likes. Maybe the next one will also “show” us. Then there’s this whole thing about having a life partner with the language “yours” and “mine.” It always brings shame.
Anyway, since the movie has already been made, I appreciate that it goes a little deeper into the relationships. Actually, in these times where three out of four movies seem to be propaganda or message driven, I’m just glad to see something else.
Although you know that the good lines of the first half portend a comeback after the interval.
AND Cocktail 2 It is good for the other senses. You’re seeing beautiful people in exquisite settings. The camera work with its magnificent framing beautifully enhances the natural light. The music is lively and almost a constant. The lyrics of most of the songs are above average.
Plus, even if we wonder why Kunal is the way he is, Shahid Kapoor plays the calm and “mature” Kunal well enough to make you want to shake him to get him to start talking. And unless the scenes showing him as a college student are from historical footage, this 40+ year old man can surely pass himself off as a late teen!
I would rate this as one of Kriti Sanon’s best performances. On the one hand, she is asked to be more than a doll and she is up to the task. Rashmika Mandanna’s act, on the other hand, is depressing. It feels like you’re going through the motions. It doesn’t help that there’s something wrong with his dubbing.
Cocktail 2 ends up making us dislike both women, but at least they stay in character while doing it. Why does man wait for the pimple to turn into an abscess that is about to burst? After all, maybe there is some resemblance to real life.
– Meeta, a part of the audience.
