Shadows on the Wall | Look Both Ways

Look Both Ways

dir Wanuri Kahiu
scr April Prosser
prd Bryan Unkeless, Eric Newman, Jessica Malanaphy
with Lili Reinhart, Danny Ramirez, David Corenswet, Aisha Dee, Nia Long, Luke Wilson, Andrea Savage, Elisa Annette, Sahara Ale, Sarah J Bartholomew, Amanda Knapic, Ashlyn Anderson Gomez
release US/UK 17.Aug.22
22/US Netflix 1h50

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With Sliding Doors-style divergent plotlines, this comedy-drama follows a young woman into alternative futures defined by either family or career. While fairly simplistic, it's also engaging as writer April Prosser and director Wanuri Kahiu take a relentlessly positive approach. Since everything plays out in satisfying ways, the film dodges deeper themes, which leaves it feeling corny. Still, it's a nice reminder to stop worrying about the future.

At the end of university in Austin, artist Natalie (Reinhart) has her future mapped out, determined to become a filmmaker. Meanwhile, her boyfriend Gabe (Ramirez) lands a sponsor for his band's tour. With everything looking up, pregnancy is the last thing they expect. But Natalie and Gabe are determined to make this work, even if they're not in love. But what if things were different, and Natalie could pursue her dream in Los Angeles as planned with her best friend Cara (Dee)? It would be a different kind of struggle, with very different opportunities.

Colour-coding helps identify each plotline, and both play out as expected. After reacting badly, Natalie's parents (Wilson and Savage) of course take her in during the pregnancy. And Gabe steps up as their baby daughter arrives. Meanwhile, Natalie and Cara struggle to survive in a city where starting jobs are all unpaid internships. Then Natalie meets hot-guy aspiring producer Jake (Corenswer) as she pursues work with film animator Lucy (Long). And in both timelines, Natalie needs to discover what's most important.

As Natalie, Reinhart is mostly likeable in both threads, a strong young woman who thinks far too much about everything. New-mom Natalie thinks like she has no life anymore, has stopped drawing and misses her friends. And career-track Natalie is annoyed that Joy doesn't see her as an artist. These kinds of things are easy to identify with, as are sharply contrasting relationships with the endlessly charming Ramirez and Corenswet. Both romances take happy and sad turns along the way to provide various emotional kicks.

Because the plot revolves mainly around pivotal events, there isn't much texture to the story. But there is an intriguing juxtaposition between over-planning and enjoying life as it comes, while twists of fate continually undermine expectations. This leads to both amazing opportunities and also missed chances due to overwhelming emotions. Then as the two plots begin to re-converge, the movie starts feeling rather contrived, more of a girly fantasy than a story about a young woman who takes control of her life whatever the weather.

themes, language 17.Aug.22

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