Love Aaj Kal's hype was big enough to give it the best opening, for the year 2009; some aver it is one of the biggest openings ever; but does the hype substantiate the matter? The film opens with a montage of shots that tries to set the tone of the film. A couple, Saif and Deepika, are shown through various months - till the time the film reveals their goals in life and their mutual decision to break up. They even throw a break-up party!
 
However, at the break-up party Saif meets Rishi Kapoor, a true-blue romantic from the 60s who tells him that one should never let that 'one love' go. How Saif realises that he really loves Deepika and how he finally gets her forms the narrative of the story. The story is very good, the narrative style - innovative, but I would say that the execution leaves much to be desired. Where is the crackling chemistry between the protagonists that the audiences witnessed in Jab We Met?
 
It is for this precise reason that the film never touches the audiences. Also, characterisations is a problem. You recall each and every character from Jab We Met - be it Roop or Anshuman or even the manager (Teddy Maurya) of that seedy hotel 'Decent'! The characters in LAK are just superficial. There is no depth in the characters of Saif's friends - Vir Das and others.
 
Directorially, Imtiaz Ali scores on one count - he has actually cast a Brazilian, Giselle, to play Harleen - the shy and coy sardarni whom Rishi loses his heart to. It is really path-breaking and required intelligent writing.

What rocks the movie:
Music. Be it Twist or Aahun Aahun or Chor Bazaari, the music by Pritam rocks!
Choreography. Chor Bazaari is really innovatively choreographed.
Rishi Kapoor. Saif Ali Khan (in parts).
A few sequences - break-up party for instance.
 
What chucks the movie:
Execution, lack of emotional quotient.

Verdict:
The film has made a historic start, by going on 1800 screens. Audiences looking for a Jab We Met kind of a high, are bound to be disappointed; but those looking at Love Aaj Kal afresh will find it to be an average entertainer that might make them say, rather than gush - 'Just! Aaj Kal'.