The film could have been a modern rom-com dealing with issues of the recession, over-bearing parents, changing love equations etcetera. But what you get are good-looking actors, a few immersing moments, and an amusing sitcom episode at best.

One doesn’t know whether to call it a flaw, but the film’s antagonist is far stronger than its protagonist. The character is superbly etched even if bordering on caricature, has the best dialogue and is incredibly performed by Juhi Chawla. Of course, since she is a politician, every other dialogue begins with Politics mein…. But Chawla makes this character the most entertaining and immersing part of the movie.

With a take on relationships that starts off as modern, but cops-out; it’s the humour and performances that are worth savouring. Guess that would even the scales for a just about decent watch.

If you’re in the mood for a decent horror flick that has an equal number of spooky and dry moments, you won’t mind this one.

The intention is to bring something unusual to the table, and the film does occasionally succeed in offering a few interesting moments, particularly the shifting equations between Samara and her mother. But otherwise it cannot keep you interested in either the characters or their lives. Sadly in the end, it turns out to be more clutter-inducing than clutter-breaking.

The film appears to be a massive PR fillip for Salman—working on his image of a do-gooder with a volatile temper. The film and his image feed off each other. There’s also some token nationalism forced in for good measure. You’ll get a lot of Salman Khan here, but an entertaining movie, you will not.

The dialogue is spectacularly insipid. “Akkal baadam khaane se nahin, thokar khaane se aati hai,” is one gem. And then there are the lame retorts that the central character tries passing off as smart-alecky.

It has fabulous performances by the cast. Plus, Ahluwalia’s film has the impressive research, technical finesse, genre-breaking style, and an exciting backdrop.

But what’s the point when viewer keeps getting disconnected from the story and characters? In the case of Miss Lovely, the subject and style is far more absorbing than the film. Too bad, really!

… no brownie points for making a film like this. Yaariyan with its synthetic characters and artificial emotion has the depth and intelligence of a seedy music video. Steer clear!

Debut director Samir Tewari’s Mr. Joe B. Carvalho is not as funny as its title. It’s impossible to endure a below-par film for just a couple of funny moments. Too bad, really. It would have been wonderful to begin the New Year with a crackling comedy.