JAAL is a musical melodrama with some underlying tones of crime noir. The most notable thing here is the role of Dev Anand, who is cast as a conniving and manipulative person with villainous shades, a completely against-the-type role for a leading hero of that era. He plays the role of a scheming and shrewd smuggler, who traps women in his net of love for his nefarious motives, to perfection. Geeta Bali as his love interest is superb and plays the role of an independent and love-struck girl with fierce and exquisite energy. The film's depiction of longing and the innate human need for a connection is very passionately done. It portrays those emotions with various imagery and subtle subtexts. The eloquent dialogues further bring out the feeling of love and desire in the story. Also, the music album is just chef's kiss.
Some of the things haven't aged well like some dialogues about women's sexuality or some incredibly weird interpretation of crime and punishment, but generally, it's a well-made tale of love, betrayal, faith and redemption.
Some of the things haven't aged well like some dialogues about women's sexuality or some incredibly weird interpretation of crime and punishment, but generally, it's a well-made tale of love, betrayal, faith and redemption.