Watch Look Both Ways

Look Both Ways is a powerful and poignant 2005 film that explores the complexities of life and the emotions that shape our experiences. Directed by Sarah Watt, this Australian drama film is a woven tapestry of the intersecting lives of a group of people living in Adelaide, all of whom are dealing with their own personal struggles. The film opens with the central character Meryl (played by Justine Clarke), a newspaper illustrator and photographer, on her way to visit her mother, who has just been diagnosed with cancer. On the way, she accidentally witnesses a man being hit by a train, which sends her spiraling into a reflection of her own mortality, and contemplating the fragility of life.

Meryl meets the man responsible for operating the train that took the life of the pedestrian she saw. His name is Nick (played by William McInnes), and he's grappling with his own demons, coming to terms with the loss of his father, whom he has not spoken to in over 30 years.

Meanwhile, Meryl's boyfriend, Andy (played by Anthony Hayes), is also dealing with his own issues. As a construction worker, he's struggling with the loss of a co-worker and friend, who fell off a building site and was killed. His fear and anxiety about his own safety on the job are becoming overwhelming.

Also grappling with the aftermath of the tragedy is the victim's widow, Julia (played by Daniela Farinacci), who's left to care for her young son while mourning her husband's untimely death.

As the characters of Look Both Ways navigate their own paths, they intersect and overlap, forming complex webs of connection and solidarity. Through a series of flashbacks and whimsical animated segments, we gain a deeper understanding of the inner lives of each character, and we come to recognize the threads of similarities that bind them together.

At its core, Look Both Ways is a film about empathy, compassion, and understanding, and how these emotional states can help us make sense of the chaos that surrounds us. It deals with big themes like love, loss, grief, mental health, and mortality, all while finding moments of levity and humor in the darkest of situations. The film is a masterful exploration of the human experience, and how we're all inextricably connected, even in our most private and personal moments.

The cinematography in Look Both Ways is particularly noteworthy, using inventive camera angles and lighting to create a sense of intimacy and claustrophobia when necessary. The animated sequences, which depict Meryl's active imagination, are also beautifully executed, blending seamlessly into the live-action shots.

The film's performances are also outstanding, particularly from Mary Kostakidis, who delivers a moving and authentic portrayal of a woman struggling with a terminal illness. Justine Clarke brings a nuanced performance to the role of Meryl, capturing the character's vulnerability and resolve in equal measure. The supporting cast, including William McInnes, Daniela Farinacci, and Anthony Hayes, are also excellent, imbuing their characters with depth and complexity.

Overall, Look Both Ways is an emotionally resonant film, that earns its place as a modern Australian classic. By exploring themes of mortality and the interconnectedness of life, the movie is an invitation to slow down, take stock of our lives, and most importantly, to look both ways before crossing the street.

Look Both Ways is a 2005 drama with a runtime of 1 hour and 40 minutes. It has received moderate reviews from critics and viewers, who have given it an IMDb score of 7.0 and a MetaScore of 64.