The manic pixie dream girl unexpectedly entering a young man’s life is the subject of plenty of romance films, to the point that this plot has become somewhat overdone, stereotypical, and overly unrealistic. However, there are moments in cinema when this archetype is portrayed well– Jab We Met is one of them. It’s joyful without being unrealistic, it’s realistic without being too jaded, and as two lost souls share the same train, writer-director Imtiaz Ali creates a feeling of freedom every time then-lovers Shahid Kapoor and Kareena Kapoor save each other from the prisons of their different, day-to-day lives. And it all comes with the song numbers as fun as the film’s leading lady.
A depressed wealthy businessman and a spunky carefree young woman embark on an unexpected journey that changes their lives.
On the verge of committing suicide, businessman Aditya aimlessly boards a train, which leads him to be unexpectedly roped into the crazy elopement of fellow passenger and high-spirited girl Geet.
The leads!!! Kareena Kapoor just has that joie de vivre and charisma that makes Aditya’s transformation after he met her feel believable, and Shahid Kapoor exudes a Mark Ruffalo-esque charm that makes his surly character feel endearing.
Okay, so what was that hug scene all about, though? You know what scene I’m talking about.
