Parineeta could've been so much better. The movie comes off a little flat because it never lets you get emotionally involved in the characters' lives/actions. Everything is moving a bit too fast. Once the major conflict was set, it seemed like VVC couldn't wait to resolve all the tension and problems built among the characters. Thus you never really feel that attached to the people on screen. What makes it even worse is the climax, which seems right out of a David Dhawan flick. I got the feeling VVC couldn't wait to end the movie.

My biggest gripe with Parineeta is the lack of focus on Saif-Balan's relationship. There's hardly enough on-screen interaction between these two for us to understand the 'depth' of their relationship. That love-making scene I thought came out of nowhere. Upto that point we had only seen Balan&Saif as good friends and then BOOM! All of a sudden they're getting naked and rolling their tongues all over each other. It's a good thing Balan-Saif also happen to be great actors aside from sharing awesome chemistry because that entire sequence could've played out very awkwardly.

Anyway, great performances from the leading pair....especially Vidya Balan. I don't know anyone in Bollywood who emotes as naturally as she does(hard to believe it's her first film!). Saif has given better performances before(DCH and EHT), but this is right up there with his work in KHNH and Hum Tum. He's at his best when he's expressing purely through his eyes and body language.

Sanjay Dutt and the rest of the supporting cast do a fine job.

The cinematography, sets and art direction is just amazing. The 60's era is beautifully recreated. I have to say I've seen VERY few films as visually engaging as Parineeta.

Of course, great visuals don't make a great movie. Parineeta in the end still lacks emotional depth.

Overall, worth a dekho for the performances and the charming way in which the movie has been decorated and shot.