If there's one movie genre I'd choose to watch forever, I guess it'd be coming-of-age movies. These movies always make me reflect on my own life and I easily relate to the story and characters. Immediately I saw Look Both Ways pop up on my Netflix profile, I knew I wanted to see this coming-of-age movie.
It is a new movie released on the 17th of August on Netflix starring Lili Reinhart, Aisha Dee, Danny Ramirez and David Corenswet. It's a romantic comedy with a story revolving around Lili Reinhart's character, Natalie, who lives two different lives in a multiverse after taking a pregnancy test.
The Plot
In the thrill of the moment, two friends, Natalie and Gabe have sex on the eve of their graduation. They both agree it's a one-time thing and it is a sort of parting away gift to each other. A few weeks later, Natalie is in her bathroom with her friend Cara and peeing on pregnancy test kits.
After a major scare, it turns out she isn't pregnant and both girls are happy their after-grad plans aren't ruined by a pregnancy. In the same moment, in an alternate universe, Natalie is pregnant and she has to decide to face her greatest fear, giving up her plans of a new life in Los Angeles.
Which one of the parallel universes would favour Natalie? The life she dreamed of in LA chasing her dreams or the unplanned one where she's a mum and stuck in her parents' home?
My Thoughts
My first thought seeing the synopsis was, 'oh, another chick flick, freaky Friday situation, how cliché'. Then I started watching and realized it's more than that. Natalie's experiences in both worlds are quite remarkable and make the plot less ordinary.
I liked this story because of how relatable it is. A lot of people have regrets about the decisions they made at one point in their lives and how they changed their trajectory because of that one decision.
In Natalie's case, in one world, she chose to stick with being a mum even if it was far from what she had planned and it was a struggle. Several times she wept because of the heavy burden she was experiencing - not chasing her dreams and being stuck in her hometown with a baby.
She was filled with regrets and often imagined how life in LA would have turned out better. Well, we got to see her life in LA in the other world and it wasn't the smoothest ride either.
Many times we worry about what could have been rather than appreciate where we are now and aim to make it better. Natalie was faced with obstacles in both worlds and nothing got better until she decided to make a move.
It's a clear example of how we can't change the past but can only take steps to direct our future.
The Cast
Lili Reinhart did a good job playing the two Natalies. Initially, I had to pay close attention to know which Natalie I was looking at in every scene. It was the same person with the same mannerisms and all so it was quite confusing at first. I can only imagine the effort it took to play two different roles for one character.
Natalie's struggles in both worlds were very well portrayed by her and it was easy to connect with this character. The supporting characters were good also and it was nice to see Gabe's alternate reality. Natalie's best friend, Cara wasn't so different in both worlds and that's fine, sometimes you end up at the same spot no matter the route you take.
The Jake character looked mysterious and I kind of expected more from him especially as he showed up in the second universe. But not everyone is meant to have a major stake in your life so I get that he was more of a passerby in the other universe.
Overall, I think the cast was great, from Natalie's parents to her boss in LA, they did well. I was happy to see Cara, played by Aisha Dee because I know her from The Bold Type. I hope she doesn't get stereotyped in the same type of roles though.
Favourite scene
This has got to be the last scene where Natalie was back to her parents' home in both parallel universes and we see the two Natalies walk after the other, into the house, in the bathroom where it all began, and then out to face their realities.
Rating
I'd rate this 9/10. It's a simple, reflective movie with life lessons. They didn't do too much and the multiverse touch gave it a different kick. The ending was satisfying and looking both ways, maybe one isn't better than the other after all.
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