Look Both Ways Synopsis & Review: Plot Summary

🎯 Quick Overview

😅 Plot Summary – Badly Explained

A college grad takes a pregnancy test, and depending on the result, either becomes a mom or a Hollywood star, proving that no matter what, she’ll end up ‘okay’ and probably dating someone cute.

🍿 Look Both Ways: Detailed Plot Synopsis

Graduation Night and the Fork in the Road

On the eve of her college graduation, Natalie, an aspiring animator, sleeps with her friend Gabe. The next morning, feeling unwell, she takes a pregnancy test with her best friend Cara. This single moment becomes the catalyst for two divergent paths. The film then splits, showcasing two parallel realities for Natalie.

Reality 1: Motherhood in Texas

In one reality, the test is positive. Natalie decides to keep the baby and moves back home to Texas, with the support of her parents. Gabe, initially surprised, steps up to co-parent. This storyline follows Natalie navigating the challenges and joys of young motherhood while trying to maintain her artistic ambitions. She creates a comic book inspired by her daughter, Rosie.

Reality 2: Career Dreams in Los Angeles

In the other reality, the test is negative. Natalie moves to Los Angeles with Cara to pursue her animation career. She lands a job as an assistant to animator Lucy and develops a romantic relationship with Jake, a fellow aspiring filmmaker. This storyline focuses on Natalie’s career struggles, romantic entanglements, and the challenges of finding her artistic voice.

SXSW and the Convergence

Both realities see Natalie facing professional setbacks and romantic complexities. Ultimately, both versions of Natalie find success and fulfillment. Both versions end up at SXSW in Austin, where Natalie showcases her work. The narratives converge as each Natalie, accompanied by her respective partner (Gabe or Jake), passes the location where she took the pregnancy test.

⚠️ Spoilers and Ending Explained

🎬 Cast & Characters

• Natalie (Lili Reinhart): A recent college graduate whose life diverges into two parallel realities based on a pregnancy test result, leading her to navigate motherhood or a career in animation.
• Gabe (Danny Ramirez): Natalie’s friend and one-time sexual partner, who becomes a supportive co-parent in one reality and remains a friend in the other as he pursues his music career.
• Cara (Aisha Dee): Natalie’s best friend who moves to Los Angeles to pursue her career, providing support and friendship to Natalie in both realities.
• Rick (Luke Wilson): Natalie’s supportive father who offers guidance and encouragement in both realities as she navigates life’s challenges.
• Lucy (Nia Long): Natalie’s boss and mentor in Los Angeles, who challenges her to find her unique artistic voice and pursue her dreams.
• Jake (David Corenswet): A colleague and love interest of Natalie in the Los Angeles timeline, who supports her career aspirations and forms a deep connection.

💬 Memorable Quotes

• Natalie: “I’m okay.” – Natalie says this to herself in the mirror at the end of the film, in both timelines, showing her acceptance of her life’s direction.
• Natalie: “Wherever life takes you, let love guide you.” – This tagline of the movie encapsulates the film’s core message of trusting love and life’s journey.
• Lucy: “Find your own voice.” – Lucy advises Natalie to find her unique artistic voice, encouraging her to pursue her creative passions authentically.

💰Box Office

• Budget: N/A
• Domestic Gross: N/A
• Worldwide Gross: N/A

💥 Look Both Ways Reviews

Personal Review

Okay, so I watched this movie hoping for something like ‘Sliding Doors,’ and while it’s not as impactful, it’s still a fun watch. I loved seeing Lili Reinhart explore two totally different life paths. The moments where she struggles to find her footing in both scenarios felt so real. I was rooting for her the whole time! Especially the scene where she finally shows Lucy her film. Overall, it’s a lighthearted movie that made me think about the choices I’ve made and whether I’m really okay with them. Definitely worth a watch if you need a feel-good movie with a touch of introspection.

• Who would enjoy:
  • “Fans of romantic comedies”
  • “Viewers interested in stories about parallel realities”
  • “Young adults facing life choices”
  • “Those who enjoy feel-good movies with positive messages”
• Content warnings ⚠:
  • “Brief discussion of unplanned pregnancy”
  • “Some mild language”
  • “Depiction of postpartum depression”
  • “Romantic situations”

Professional Reviews

• IndieWire: “While the premise is interesting, the film’s execution feels somewhat predictable. Lili Reinhart delivers a solid performance, but the parallel storylines lack the necessary depth to truly resonate. The movie is feel-good, but it doesn’t quite achieve the emotional impact it strives for.
• RogerEbert.com: “Look Both Ways is an enjoyable if somewhat lightweight exploration of life’s what-ifs. Reinhart is charming, and the film maintains a pleasant, optimistic tone throughout. However, the script avoids taking real risks, resulting in a story that feels safe and predictable.

Audience Reactions

Viewers appreciated the movie’s uplifting message and how it portrayed the highs and lows of both life paths.: Most viewers agreed that it was a heartwarming movie that offered a positive outlook on life’s unexpected turns.

Overall Consensus: A light-hearted and uplifting movie with a predictable plot, but still enjoyable for its positive message and Lili Reinhart’s performance.

Awards

🛠️ Behind the Scenes

• “The movie’s original title was ‘Plus/Minus’.”
• “The film was shot primarily in Austin, Texas.”
• “The filmmakers wanted to portray the two different paths neutrally, showing both the highs and lows of each.”

🖥️ How to Watch Look Both Ways?

Look Both Ways is currently available for streaming exclusively on Netflix. As a Netflix original film, it is not typically available for purchase on platforms like Prime Video or Apple TV. To watch, you’ll need a Netflix subscription. Check your local Netflix library, as availability may vary slightly by region.

🎥 Similar Movies

If you enjoyed Look Both Ways, you might like these similar films:

• Sliding Doors (1998): Shares the same premise of following two parallel storylines based on a single life-altering event.
• Begin Again (2013): Explores themes of career, love, and finding one’s artistic voice in a creative field.
• Frances Ha (2012): Captures the spirit of a young woman navigating her career and relationships in a creative field, showcasing the ups and downs of pursuing one’s passion.
• About Time (2013): Features a protagonist with the ability to alter events in his past, exploring the impact of choices on life and relationships, albeit with a science fiction twist.

🛒 Look Both Ways Related Products

• Sliding Doors [Blu-ray]: Explore a similar alternate-reality narrative with the classic ‘Sliding Doors,’ offering a more dramatic and nuanced take on life’s what-ifs.
• The Crossroads of Should and Must: Find and Follow Your Passion: Reflect on the themes of choices and life paths, and discover how to choose the direction that truly aligns with your passions. This book will help you find your voice. It is available on Amazon.
• Inspirational Quote Posters for Wall Decor: Hang motivational quotes from the film to inspire you to be ‘okay’, and to remind you that you are on the right path in life, whatever may come.

🎧 Soundtrack

Look Both Ways features a captivating soundtrack that enhances the movie’s atmosphere and emotional impact. Here are some notable tracks:

• “We Are Young” – performed by Fun. (Arranged by Mexican Institute of Sound)

You can find the complete soundtrack on Amazon Music and Apple Music.

🤨 FAQ

🔥 Bonus Content

Is Lili Reinhart Team Jake or Team Gabe?! #lilireinhart #lookbothways

Okay, serious question: Team Jake or Team Gabe? Lili Reinhart weighs in on the ultimate #LookBothWays debate, and I’m kinda surprised by her answer! What do you think?

✨ Rate