Though the concept has been done before, this take on the possible parallel lives of one young woman is buoyed by engaging performances from its lead cast. The poster for Look Both Ways is reminiscent of Sliding Doors, the 90s-era Gwyneth Paltrow vehicle with a similar concept. Reinhart has nothing to envy of Paltrow as a leading lady. She holds the camera's attention and captures the rapidly changing emotions and unexpected twists and turns of young adulthood. Supporting actors, including her parents, boyfriends, and best friend, were well-selected for the mostly affable secondary characters. Ramirez and Corenswet make fine leading men. It was a fun twist that the parents were enjoying their empty nest and not so eager for their daughter to move back home.
Don't look to this film for a political message: though the father of her baby says he'll respect her "choice" about whether to continue an unplanned pregnancy, Natalie's life turns out just fine with or without the baby. There seems to be a message in here about destiny -- you're going to get where you're meant to be going in life, one way or another. Neither one of Natalie's lives is perfect, but both are pleasant, so the film also suggests success or happiness isn't a straight line. And, Natalie is equally happy with both boyfriends in her parallel lives, so maybe soulmates aren't really a thing either. The movie weaves her stories together in an overlapping way, with characters actually crossing their own paths at points.
Read the full review on Common Sense Media.
Images courtesy of Netflix.