If I were to judge each factor of VeerZaara separately, I would not even judge it a mediocre movie, I would call it awful, cheesy, cloying, utterly unrealistic. However, I saw the whole movie and enjoyed it far more than I thought I would. Not being a hypocrite, I am giving it the score it deserves for its emotion and entertainment.
This movie, almost as the epitome of Bollywood, is not one bit ashamed of having star-crossed lovers, true and eternal love and devotion, selfless sacrifice in the name of love, justice, idealistic religious syncretism, and mutually inclusive patriotism and respect for the neighboring nation. Combined with that of course you have songs sung by eminent playback singers, beautiful cinematography and attractive actors. Acting wise, initially SRK's totally fake prisoner-getup really annoyed me, with its fake powdered hair and totally unconvincing geriatric quiver. The obviousness of the dialogue when he first starts speaking also bored me. Then there's Preity's silly (but cute) little song. But these things really opened the way up for the movie, let the audience know, 'Hey, this isn't like your world, it's totally different. Abandon disbelief (completely), all ye that enter.' So I had to disarm myself and give into Bollywood, and into all the pure, romantic love, colorful clothes, wide stretches of beautiful village scenery, rather inaccurate but still well-meant depiction of Pakistani and Muslim societies, and all the idealistic sociopolitical ideas one wants in such a movie.
But there is still something unexpected here. Before the resolve we see the aftermath of a sacrifice from both parties. You see that even though they are reunited, they have definitely lost a lot. SRK did a good job here in carrying through his prison mannerisms and not losing them at Zaara's sight. They are reunited but a sense of loss is maintained. A somewhat bittersweet trace in a very sweet movie.
This movie, almost as the epitome of Bollywood, is not one bit ashamed of having star-crossed lovers, true and eternal love and devotion, selfless sacrifice in the name of love, justice, idealistic religious syncretism, and mutually inclusive patriotism and respect for the neighboring nation. Combined with that of course you have songs sung by eminent playback singers, beautiful cinematography and attractive actors. Acting wise, initially SRK's totally fake prisoner-getup really annoyed me, with its fake powdered hair and totally unconvincing geriatric quiver. The obviousness of the dialogue when he first starts speaking also bored me. Then there's Preity's silly (but cute) little song. But these things really opened the way up for the movie, let the audience know, 'Hey, this isn't like your world, it's totally different. Abandon disbelief (completely), all ye that enter.' So I had to disarm myself and give into Bollywood, and into all the pure, romantic love, colorful clothes, wide stretches of beautiful village scenery, rather inaccurate but still well-meant depiction of Pakistani and Muslim societies, and all the idealistic sociopolitical ideas one wants in such a movie.
But there is still something unexpected here. Before the resolve we see the aftermath of a sacrifice from both parties. You see that even though they are reunited, they have definitely lost a lot. SRK did a good job here in carrying through his prison mannerisms and not losing them at Zaara's sight. They are reunited but a sense of loss is maintained. A somewhat bittersweet trace in a very sweet movie.