“What if” is a question that almost every single one of us asks ourselves at some point in our lives. Interestingly, Wanuri Kahiu brings this question onto the screen using her 2022 rom-com Look Both Ways. Look Both Ways features Lili Reinhart as the protagonist, Natalie Bennett. This Netflix movie begins with the protagonist’s life taking two routes; a pregnant Natalie and a non-pregnant Natalie. Following this, the audience is taken through both journeys.
There are many elements in the movie that make it fascinating. It is an emotional rollercoaster, and the viewer can easily connect to the protagonist. In a way, the creators have made this film so that the viewer is able to say “that is so me” constantly. It might not be an exciting movie with many plot twists. However, Look Both Ways is definitely a film that one would watch to make oneself feel better. Moreover, it is the perfect heart-warming film that makes one think about their own life and the challenges one faces.
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Relatable Protagonist
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The film begins with Natalie hooking up with her friend Gabe (Danny Ramirez) while at the end of her University life. Even though this hook-up is one spontaneous decision, it acts as the driving force of the film. The question of “am I pregnant or am I not” breaks the film into two plots one which features Natalie giving up her dreams to be a stay-at-home mom and the other with Natalie pursuing her dreams of becoming an animator by moving to LA with Cara (Aisha Dee). This all depends on her pregnancy test revealing as either positive or negative.
One might question why the choice of abortion was not included in the film. Perhaps, the creators were focused on looking at independent young moms; that they opted out of it. Either way, Natalie’s emotions as well as the challenges she faces make her relatable. The way in which she struggles as a young mom sheds light on how it is no easy task to raise a child. On the other hand, the constant obstacles she faces when trying to build up her career can be something many young graduates go through. In fact, the show goes on to shed light on how whatever path we go, life will always bring us many obstacles.
Things Take Time
One thing that both Natalies learn over time is that everything takes time. Young-mom-Natalie finds it difficult to pursue a career due to her child. However, unbeknownst to her, her child becomes her greatest inspiration. From a made-up story to calm her baby to an infamous animation that wins awards, this version of Natalie became a successful animator over time. On the other hand, the career-based Natalie seems to have a good job under her idol. However, it does not go well when she is asked to leave. With this downhill, she takes time to tap into her inner creativity. In the end, after much struggle, she wins the contest and ends up being a successful animator.
Both versions heavily emphasize how things do not happen overnight. This seems to be a great life lesson that the film portrays perfectly using Natalie’s breakdowns and ultimate successes. It is also notable how the creators send this message by taking the viewer through an emotional ride. As Natalie breaks down and struggles, the viewers are left heartbroken. That is until everything becomes ok.
The Many Options Life Provides Us
From the beginning, Look Both Ways illustrates how we are given different options in life. Natalie’s decision to keep the baby is one option. It also makes the viewer look at their own life and remember all the times they were given numerous options. Nonetheless, the film ensures that the protagonist does not regret any decisions she has taken. This is a key takeaway as it allows the viewer to be grateful and also happy about the decisions they have taken themselves.
Whether it is moving back to your home after graduation or moving away from home to start a new life, these options cannot be pre-determined. That is something the protagonist of the film learns. Natalie is obsessed with making life plans. However, her plans seem to change due to the options she is given. This goes on to show how life itself consists of different routes. It is up to us to determine what we want to do with them. Either way, whether you plan your life beforehand or take the spontaneous route, these options end up defining who you are as a person. Natalie grows up to be a successful animator in both routes. Even if the film ends with Natalie just starting her career, it is definitely a very realistic approach to accepting life as it is.
If It’s Meant To Be, It’ll Be
Usually, rom-coms tend to adhere to the trope of “one perfect man”. However, Look Both Ways diverts from this as Natalie has two “ideal” men. The young-mom-Natalie’s ideal man is Gabe, whom she ends up with at the end of the film, while the career-focused-Natalie’s man is her co-worker, Jake (David Corenswet). Even if the young-mom-Natalie crosses paths with Jake, she does not pursue any form of relationship with him. Both versions of Natalie end up having strong romantic relationships with the perspective man. It goes on to illustrate how if things are meant to be, they will be. However, it also depends on the path we take and who we become.
The film also focuses on the different personalities we develop as a result of the different experiences we go through. The way in which Natalie’s style varies and her characters differ from one another is based on the life she chooses. The young-mom-Natalie seems to be more mature in terms of being responsible, while the career-based Natalie seems to be more outgoing.
Look Both Ways is a movie that has a lot to say and leaves the viewer with so many messages. It is heart-warming and realistic, making it easy for the viewer to connect to the protagonist as well as her story.
