Hop on Hop Off. Review on Jab Harry Met Sejal

Imtiaz Ali's Jab Harry Met Sejal is the director at his most subdued. Ali narrates the film with title cards; the story of a tour guide "Harry" in europe facing an identity crisis. The movie works in fits and starts only, but I like it.

This is Imtiaz's nineth feature film, and his potentially strongest. Think abouts, two people in Jab We Met getting married(2nd fav), a rock star getting ditched by his girl friend and finding solace in passionate music(1st), and Harry's love i.e., impassionate still.

There is zero plot in Jab Harry Met Sejal, all realistic pep talk and a canvas that is exotic. Ali's film is full of time lapse frames, powered by two central acts but it doesn't exploit the canvas. Bollywood. Designer wears. Ahem. Ali no need cliches - he has his own.

What would you want to know? Harry longs a return to Punjab, his native place. Sejal stays in Amsterdam and europe with the tour guide till she figures out the missing engagement ring.

A fiance and fiancee going on a family tour after getting engaged makes little sense, and so is the fact that the girl gets to roam europe freely. Sajel's family never bothers to come back again, they prefer VoIP through iPad which is absurd.

A long stretched third act with untimely songs need edits - airport farewells, pritam's music. What the.

Cliches are there as well - no kidnapping or highjacking, but freewheeling in Europe, I can tolerate anyone attitude, the metaphor that life is journeying and fishing for answers.

All said and done, Jab Harry Met Sajel is no Bollywood film but an Imtiaz Ali film. Love it or hate it. Ali's film tackles serious issues.

A tour guide in a foreign land being a loner and a crooked guy would give food for thought. Expect less, watch more in 3 hours.