Taglines: Wherever life takes you. Let love guide you.
Look Both Ways tells the story of Natalie, whose life, on the eve of her college graduation, diverges into two parallel realities: one in which she becomes pregnant and must navigate motherhood as a young adult in her Texas hometown; the other in which she moves to Los Angeles to pursue her career.
Look Both Ways is a 2022 American romantic comedy-drama film directed by Wanuri Kahiu and written by April Prosser. The film stars Lili Reinhart, Danny Ramirez, David Corenswet, Aisha Dee, Andrea Savage, Luke Wilson, Nia Long, Elisa Annette, Amanda Knapic, Jacqueline Seaman, Francine Seaman, ndrea Savage and Lauren Meckel.
In March 2021, Netflix announced that the film, then known as Plus/Minus, would be led and executive produced by Lili Reinhart. Reinhart was previously an executive producer for Chemical Hearts (2020). In June 2021, Luke Wilson, Andrea Savage, Aisha Dee, Danny Ramirez, and David Corenswet were added the cast. In August 2021, Nia Long joined the cast.
Principal photography began on June 21, 2021, and wrapped on August 8, 2021 in Austin, Texas. Filming also took place in Los Angeles, California. In early 2022, reshoots for the film were shot at the Vancouver Public Library, Pacific Coffee Roasters, and the Acquafarina restaurant in downtown Vancouver, British Columbia. The film was released on August 17, 2022, with a runtime of 110 minutes.
About the Story
On the eve of her college graduation from the University of Texas, Natalie (Lili Reinhart) decides to have sex with her friend Gabe (Danny Ramirez). Natalie is an artist and has ambitions to make her own movie one day. The next day, Natalie feels sick, and her best friend Cara (Aisha Dee) gets her a pregnancy test. When Natalie takes the test, her life diverges into two parallel realities based on the result.
In the reality where Natalie’s test is positive, she moves back home with her mom Tina (Andrea Savage) and dad Rick (Luke Wilson), who are less than thrilled, especially when Gabe proposes to her prematurely. Natalie starts getting bored with her life at home. After her daughter is born, her life is even more tied up in just taking care of the kid and with no identity of her own. Her parents encourage Natalie to still pursue her career in animation while she struggles with the realization that she is becoming a mother.
In the reality where Natalie’s test is negative, she moves to Los Angeles with Cara, and they look to start building their careers. Natalie applies to be an assistant to animator Lucy Galloway (Nia Long). After pining for the job (she attends a party given by Lucy, where she was not invited, just to get Lucy’s attention. But she finds that Lucy doesn’t even attend these events), she gets an offer, and forms a strong bond with her colleague Jake (David Corenswet). They encourage each other to follow their dreams, with Jake desiring to be a successful producer.
In the reality where Natalie is pregnant, she and Gabe struggle to co-parent as their daughter Rosie is born. Gabe wants Natalie to move in with him, but Natalie does not reciprocate feelings and tells him to date. Gabe meets a woman named Miranda, who Natalie exhibits jealous feelings towards.
When Natalie goes on a trip to Los Angeles to visit Cara and her girlfriend, she gets a call from Rosie who says she is left overnight with Miranda’s sister. On that trip Natalie runs into Jake. Natalie doesn’t trust Gabe and later finds out he proposed to Miranda. Natalie throws herself into her career as a therapeutic tool to get over Gabe.
In the other reality, Natalie and Jake develop a strong romantic relationship (They start dating and have regular sex) and consider moving in together. That is, until Jake receives a year-long job producing in Nova Scotia. They try long distance, but Natalie finds it isn’t working for her as Jake is always busy with work.
Natalie shows Lucy her portfolio, and Lucy gives her some very critical notes, saying her work is unoriginal. She encourages Natalie to quit to pursue other avenues of creativity (& finds her own voice, instead of helping others find theirs), and Natalie does so. She returns home to a friend’s baby shower with Cara to find that her life is in a downward spiral in comparison to her friends.
In both realities, Natalie moves toward a career breakthrough. She gets accepted to the South by Southwest film festival where in one reality, she sits on a panel of creators including Lucy, and in another, has a short film of hers showcased. In one reality, Natalie visits Gabe’s band in a bar to catch up with him after five years.
Later on, she is surprised when Jake has traveled a long way to see her short film, despite the implication that he was fired from the movie. Lucy sees Natalie’s work and encourages her to stop by her office for a talk when she returns to Los Angeles. In the other, Natalie and Rosie watch Gabe’s band perform at a bar. Afterwards, Natalie asks Gabe why Miranda isn’t here to see him play. Gabe tells her that he broke off the engagement because he is in love with her, not Miranda.
Look Both Ways (2022)
Directed by: Wanuri Kahiu
Starring: Lili Reinhart, Danny Ramirez, David Corenswet, Aisha Dee, Andrea Savage, Luke Wilson, Nia Long, Elisa Annette, Amanda Knapic, Jacqueline Seaman, Francine Seaman, ndrea Savage, Lauren Meckel
Screenplay by: April Prosser
Production Design by: Keith Brian Burns
Cinematography by: Alan Caudillo
Film Editing by: Brad Leach
Costume Design by: Colin Wilkes
Set Decoration by: Laura Wallgren
Art Direction by: Christy Gray
Music by: Drum & Lace, Ian Hultquist
MPAA Rating: None.
Distributed by: Netflix
Release Date: August 17, 2022
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