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Release Date: April 14th, 2006 (Angelika Film Center) by Kino International. The Cast: Justine Clarke, William McInnes, Anthony Hayes, Lisa Flanagan, Andrew S. Gilbert, Daniella Farinacci, Maggie Dence. Directed by Sarah Watt. BASIC PREMISE: After witnessing a horrific train accident, paranoid Meryl (Clarke) develops a relationship with Nick (McInnes), a photographer. ENTERTAINMENT VALUE: Look Both Ways interweaves the lives of a few Australians in an off-beat and lively way. Meryl, the protagonist, always seems to find bad luck no matter where she is. Just as she comes back from her father’s funeral, she witnesses a gruesome train accident. At the scene, she meets a newspaper photographer named Nick, who has his own problems in life regarding his physical health. Andy (Hayes), a newspaper reporter, has marital problems with Anna (Flanagan), his girlfriend. Justine Clarke gives a charming performance as Meryl and makes her into a likeable, although offbeat, character that you end up caring about. When she tries getting closer to Nick, you want her to fall in love with him and settle down. Nick doesn’t tell her the real health-related reason why he doesn’t to commit, so she incorrectly assumes he doesn’t like her. Writer/director Sarah Watt includes some dark humor such as Meryl’s animated hallucinations of different, crazy ways Meryl could die, which recalls the imaginative, whacky animation found in Run Lola Run . Even though there’s a minimal plot, it’s refreshing to watch how the true-to-life, complex characters connect in the end. SPIRITUAL VALUE: Despite the recurring theme of tragedy and death, Look Both Ways manages to put somewhat of an uplifting spin for all of the bizarre and sad events that Meryl experiences. Death is an inevitable part of life, so Merlyn must embrace and accept life in all of its craziness, stop worrying, and simply take more risks (romantic ones, too) in order to move on with her own life. INSULT TO YOUR INTELLIGENCE: A slim plot. NUMBER OF TIMES I CHECKED MY WATCH: 1 IN A NUTSHELL: A simple, sweet and imaginative romantic comedy! What it lacks in plot, it makes up for in its visual style, lively characters and a charming performance by Justine Clarke. RECOMMENDED WAY TO WATCH: Movie Theater (1st Run) Main Page Alphabetical Menu The "L" Menu ______________________________________________________ |
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