Look Both Ways

This film sits somewhere between a 6 and a 7 for me.

It's a light-hearted rom-com with some good performances from Lili Reinhart, Danny Ramirez and Luke Wilson in particular.

The stakes are a little low in both sides of this Sliding Doors-esque story in which one version of Natalie has a baby and one doesn't, so it never really feels like there's a lot of jeopardy for the main character regardless of her choice. But I do appreciate that neither side is painted as the 'wrong' or 'negative' choice, and that each story has a different love interest.

Far from groundbreaking, but some comfortable fluff I'd probably watch again.

First off,, for those of you complaining that this was a rip-off of Sliding doors, well the trivia on IMBD even brings up that this movie was supposed to be similar to it. They aren't denying it.

Anyway..

It was worth the watch and I really did like most of the movie, but it kind of fell a little short for me.

I think there may have been a little too much story to tell and capture for just a movie.

I found her life in LA to be a little boring and I really wanted more of her and the father's relationship in Texas , their relationship started off strong and I was really looking forward to seeing their journey, but since the point of this movie was to show " what could have been", I feel like as the audience we didn't get the opportunity to get sucked into either of the stories.

I still enjoyed the movie, but something about it left me a little unsatisfied. The relationships just weren't strong enough for me.

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.

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!

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.