Sneha Jaiswal (Twitter | Instagram)
I am trying to be more positive these days, which is why the headline for ‘Cocktail 2’ might lead some to believe I liked this movie. I didn’t. But why not focus on the good things first eh?
Directed by Homi Adajania, ‘Cocktail’ stars Shahid Kapoor as Kunal, a moderately successful chef, in a long-term relationship with college girlfriend Diya (Rashmika Mandanna), an architect. They’ve been together for almost a decade, so everybody keeps asking them the same question – when are they going to tie the knot? To escape all the nagging for a bit, the couple head to Italy for a ten day vacation. There they run into Diya’s gorgeous friend Ally, played by Kriti Sanon, and Diya sense a possible spark between Kunal and Ally.
Remember the 2005 film ‘No Entry’? Where Lara Dutta’s character is suspicious of her husband cheating on her even when he isn’t? ‘Cocktail 2’ isn’t very different, since it’s primary premise centers on Diya anxiously wondering if Kunal would cheat on her if given the opportunity. Diya expresses her insecurities to her friend, who she is meeting after ten years by the way, they aren’t even that close. Although Ally is very mature during the conversation, advising Diya to talk things out with her beau. And yet, Ally then participates in a shitty plan to ‘test’ Kunal’s love for Diya.
The first 15-20 minutes of ‘Cocktail 2’ is quite entertaining, and the bright, colorful cinematography keeps things vibrant, and aesthetically pleasing. Even when the story shifts to the couple’s Sicily vacation, both the island and Kriti Sanon’s Ally are a treat to watch. Ally is the cliched free-spirited girl, not held down by jobs, men, or even places. She is constantly moving, changing jobs, and is a vivacious dance instructor for the time-being.
So, ‘Cocktail 2’ makes its shady plot twist all fun and games with beautifully shot songs, and friendly flirtatious conversations between Kunal and Ally. The trailer promised a ‘wild’ ride, but except for Kriti Sanon confidently wearing her heart on her sleeve and stylishly sexy clothes you’d want to borrow for your own vacations, very little about this film is actually wild. It’s like an old drink served in a flashy, colourful glass. You might be wooed by the looks, but that doesn’t mean you’ll want to order one.
That Ally falls for Kunal and decides to play troublemaker when the couple decides to get married, is made plenty evident in the trailer itself, so the film is all about which girl which he choose? His longtime girlfriend of ten years, or the hot, spontaneous, fun-loving, wild child Ally?
And of course, certain things don’t even make sense, like Ally getting to be Diya’s primary bridesmaid, even though they have really been in touch for ten years. Apparently Diya doesn’t have any close friends. They themselves keep taunting each other by saying ‘hum itney bhi achey dost nahi hai’.
Shahid Kapoor and Kriti Sanon have great onscreen chemistry, and he makes a cute on’screen pair with Rashmika too. It’s the weak writing in Cocktail 2 that fails to maximize their camaraderie and potential. Ayushmann Khurrana’s recent comedy ‘Pati Patni Aur Woh Do’ was actually a teeny bit more entertaining.
Given how the writers go in for an extremely formulaic ending, ‘Cocktail 2’ certainly didn’t need an extended 2 hour 30 minutes long affair. It could’ve been 30 minutes shorter. Watch only if you’re a big fan of either of the three actors. Otherwise, there’s isn’t much here, unless some stunning beachy vacation scenes and the good-looking actors is a formulaic script sounds watchable enough for some mindless weekend entertainment.
Rating: 2 on 5 stars. Watch ‘Cocktail 2’ on Netflix.
Read Next: Hooked Review – Baits You Into the World of 2 Dysfunctional Women
