Look Both Ways

To be honest, I just turned this on as a passer by watch and it turned out being absolutely phenomenal! I haven't seen a movie like this in... maybe forever. This movie really makes you think about the choices we make and if you just don't give up on yourself you're going to be okay and end up where you are meant to be for YOU. I love that it still gives you alter endings as much as I sort of hated it haha but hey... it turned out great either way. Highly recommend!

There is absolutely nothing wrong with this film, but it doesn't wow, either. The performances from all of the cast are solid.

So, it's a reworking of the "alternate timeline" story, the best-known version of this is the 1998 movie, Sliding Doors. My advice, watch Sliding Doors instead. They even copied some of the more nuanced aspects of the trope from Sliding Doors. It feels almost like a Hallmark Movie in parts, with very simple storytelling and obvious direction. You never really engage with the characters or care about the outcomes (even though you know the outcome because you know the cinematic trope). There are no twists and turns.

It's a really easy way to kill a couple of hours, but it's not going to be one I want to watch again and again.

As I say, there is nothing wrong with the film, throw it on for an easy watch, but it feels like it could have been much, much more.

Imagine a Hallmark Christmas movie where instead of the girl having to choose between Small Town Guy and Big City Guy (and always choosing the former), we get parallel and fairly balanced stories with both, except with no Christmas and a pregnancy (scare?). That's pretty much what this movie is.

I really like Lili Reinhart. She's charming and expressive and quite a good actress. The movie wouldn't work with someone less likable in the lead role. Her character, Natalie, does have some less than admirable moments, but then so does everybody. In that sense it's realistic.

Unfortunately much of the film is quite unrealistic. In both situations things run too smoothly with only a few minor bumps that get resolved with little more than a hiccup. The housing is too nice, the stress not stressful enough, the people too supportive and steady, and the child more than a little too easy after the early baby stage. Some sleepless nights and one explosive poop situation? That's nothing.

That said, I didn't watch this movie for something realistic. I knew it would soften the blows and it did. Which is fine. I really enjoyed seeing Luke Wilson as Natalie's father. I liked the Austin setting. I loved her wardrobe. The animation sequences are brief but sweet and creative. It's a warm-hearted, fairly light story about heavy subjects, and that's fine. Overall, I would say I liked Austin Natalie better than LA Natalie, but then I live in Texas and love Austin.

If you have teen daughters, remind them that this isn't reality. The movies seldom are.

But not for the reasons you would think like it was a great movie or anything, The leads looks and smile kept me thinking of one of my forever stars! Whom will never be forgotten in my mind and in my heart! Brittany Murphy, although it was not spot on, things she did and her makeup just took me back. It was like Silverstone and Murphy had a bby and the lead was it!

It was a watchable movie, sad and happy roller-coaster, but hard to follow at times. I know they tried something new but you got lost if you just look away ONCE to break up a cat fight! It was too long and no explanations at the end. This was a 6 star (+2 star for the cute little girl and Wilson) but I could not get over the leads mannerisms!

I like the premise of this and it was easy to follow even with the constant switches. Plot is simple. There's no plot twist. Just a romance story but with 2 plots blending together.

It was overall a realistic approach but in a wholesome and positive way. No rollercoaster or heavy drama in it which you might like but I think it was what let this show down because it made it somewhat dull. It had a monotonous feeling and given how there's 2 plots merging together the impact of what they are trying to portray is shared between the 2 and it just really didn't deliver any lasting feelings.

Second half of the movie is where we get some more emotion and that half is the better part of the film. Lili delivered her acts well overall. Her face is expressive which helped this film. It's also not preachy so that's plus points for me. Uplifting movie and good for a watch if you're looking for that kind of slow cruising vibe.