Look Both Ways Parent Guide

A pregnancy test is all it takes to change the direction of Natalie’s (Lili Reinhart) life. An impulsive sexual encounter with her best friend Gabe (Danny Ramirez) has left her vomiting in the bathroom, desperately hoping she isn’t pregnant. When she tests positive, her dreams of moving to Los Angeles to create animated movies are abandoned and she returns home to have her baby.

But what if the test turned out negative? On an alternative life path, Natalie follows her dreams and heads for Hollywood. In sunny Southern California, she finds work and seeks her artistic voice, while developing a relationship with fellow cinephile Jake (David Corenswet).

Look Both Ways has an intriguing premise, although it isn’t a new one. Sliding Doors, which starred Gwyneth Paltrow trod the same path in 1998. That “what if” story was based on a main character either catching or missing a subway train, with life-altering results. Audiences watch as her life splits into two tracks, dovetailing at the end.

Director Wanuri Kahiu takes a simpler approach here, with Natalie’s stories existing separately. Both of her life paths see personal heartache, romantic relationships, and career struggles and achievement. The movie’s success is due to the script’s impartial attitude towards her dual trajectories: neither her parenting life or her single, career-focused life are seen as better or worse; more or less valuable. This is a great message for teens, emphasizing that there is no single route to happiness or personal fulfilment. The story also demonstrates that all lives have ups and downs and events that initially seem negative can have surprisingly positive outcomes. This is a film about emotional resilience, perseverance, goal-setting, and optimism, all of which are themes worth celebrating.

The downside is that these excellent messages come embedded in negative content. There’s some non-explicit sex, marijuana use, a whole lot of social drinking, and a significant amount of (mostly low level) profanity. Some parents will also be unhappy with the movie’s storyline around an unwed pregnant woman. However, abortion is never mentioned and is only referred to in the vaguest of terms, when Gabe says to Natalie, “This should be your choice. And I don’t mean that as a cop out. I’m pro-your-choice.”

Overall, Look Both Ways provides a thought-provoking storyline, ably delivered by a talented cast. It’s an entertaining 110 minutes and will make all viewers stop and think about their own “what ifs”. That’s an intriguing trip to take down Memory Lane and might lead to some interesting destinations.