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Stars indicate the most critically-acclaimed movies.

Look Both Ways

EMAILPRINTKino International

Look Both Ways reviews
64
6.6 User Score:

Generally favorable reviews

Based on 24 critic reviews
How did we calculate this?

Based on 5 votes
Read user comments
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Movie Info

Genre(s): Drama  |  Foreign

Written by: Sarah Watt

Directed by: Sarah Watt

Release Date:
Theatrical: April 14, 2006
DVD: December 5, 2006

Running Time: 100 minutes, Color

Origin: Australia

Summary

RATING: PG-13 for some violent images, sexual content and thematic material

Starring Justine Clarke, William McInnes, Anthony Hayes, Lisa Flanagan, Andrew S. Gilbert, Daniella Farinacci, Maggie Dence, and Edwin Hodgeman

Mixing animation and live action, Look Both Ways follows the misadventures of Meryl (Clarke), a woman who sees disaster everywhere. One day Meryl is witness to a real accident that connects her to the lives of others affected by the tragedy, among them Nick (McInnes), a photographer emotionally inhibited by his own fears. As Meryl and Nick tentatively attempt to connect, their story is shot through with humor, whimsical insight and compassion. (Kino International)

What The Critics Said

All critic scores are converted to a 100-point scale. If a critic does not indicate a score, we assign a score based on the general impression given by the text of the review. Learn more...

88

Chicago Sun-Times Roger Ebert

It is poetic and unforgiving, romantic and stark. Death is the subject we edge around.

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83

Entertainment Weekly Lisa Schwarzbaum

Ineffably Australian and intriguingly (rather than annoyingly) artsy, Look Both Ways introduces a handful of people gobsmacked by life-changing crises, all of them trying to make sense of responsibility, mortality, and connection.

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83

Portland Oregonian Shawn Levy

If Look Both Ways has a familiar form, this sort of emphasis on humanity, with which the film refreshingly pulses, is rare.

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80

The Hollywood Reporter Erin Free

The best Australian film to hit local screens in more than a year. Although lacking any internationally renowned actors to win more than limited release, the film's energy and stylistic daring mark it as a true original.

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80

Los Angeles Times Kenneth Turan

A fearless movie about a fearful subject, an unusually empathetic and quite funny film that deals with death and dying in the most offbeat and casually life-affirming way. Exceptionally smart, playful and perceptive, Look Both Ways confronts things that people would rather avoid.

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80

Washington Post Ann Hornaday

Though Watt's emphasis on coincidence and fate seems strained at times, Look Both Ways is rich in dreamy summer atmosphere and deadpan wit.

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75

Seattle Post-Intelligencer Sean Axmaker

It's a tricky tonal dance that Watt, minor missteps aside, glides through with feeling.

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75

Philadelphia Inquirer Steven Rea

There's something optimistic in the filmmaker's clear-eyed, straightforward storytelling style.

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75

TV Guide Ken Fox

The morbid theme notwithstanding, this is by no means a downbeat film, and it ends with the rather hopeful thought that for every disaster there's also a chance for survival.

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75

Chicago Tribune Jessica Reaves

Watt's direction is stylish, and her choices feel sure-handed.

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70

Variety Richard Kuipers

An imaginative, humorous and truthful contemplation of human reaction to the inexplicable.

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70

Village Voice Michael Atkinson

An unassuming, unadventurous, but likable dramedy about dying and grief.

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67

Christian Science Monitor Peter Rainer

The best parts of the movie are its occasional animated sequences.

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63

New York Daily News Jami Bernard

Best of all is newcomer Justine Clarke playing a dour illustrator. Clarke's fascinating features register emotions at war, but always governed by a sense of self-deprecating humor.

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63

Boston Globe Janice Page

The debut live-action feature of Australian animator Sarah Watt has several other things to recommend it as well, including a black-humored screenplay, realistic performances, eye-catching artwork, and a few creative turns on some well-worn themes.

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60

Empire Simon Crook

A dreamy but tough ensemble indie that delivers its existential angst with a straight-up Aussie drawl.

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60

Chicago Reader J.R. Jones

Watt's script is a bit overstuffed, and by the end the roiling animated sequences (drawn by Emma Kelly and inked by Watt and Clare Callinan) are wearing out their welcome. But the convincing characters and hearty examination of mortality make this fresh and oddly uplifting.

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60

New York Magazine David Edelstein

Even when it spreads itself too thin, Look Both Ways enlarges your perception of the here-and-now--and what movies can do to transcend it.

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58

The Onion (A.V. Club) Noel Murray

After the first hour, it's clear the movie isn't going to offer any surprising new insights into messed-up modernity.

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50

LA Weekly Mark Olsen

Watt seems to want to say something about the role of fate and happenstance in creating connections between people, but she never quite brings the strands of her ideas together.

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50

Austin Chronicle Brian Clark

This sincere but ultimately empty indie film plays like Australia’s answer to ensemble pieces like "Magnolia" and "Short Cuts."

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50

The New York Times Jeannette Catsoulis

Bogged down by the stylistic gimmickry of bustling montages and jarring animated segments, Look Both Ways aims for existential drama but succeeds only in reminding us that misery loves company.

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50

New York Post Lou Lumenick

Works its way to an improbably cheerful ending, but getting there is a slow trip.

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50

San Francisco Chronicle G. Allen Johnson

An endearingly quirky independent film from Australia, with very likable characters and an intriguing premise.

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What Our Users Said

The average user rating for this movie is 6.6 (out of 10) based on 5 User Votes

Note: User votes are NOT included in the Metascore calculation.

Sharon gave it a10:
I'm an Aussie and I watched this at the movies 5 times!! So I guess that means it's one of my favorite films ever...I love it's humanity!

Brutus gave it a9:
Charming quirky movie about death and what comes before it. Has considerably more heart and soul than what is typically found in the cinema these days. Lackadaisical episodic pacing (and all the better for it) and self-effacing stars lend an air of real life drama to this, but it is basically a gentle comedy about some rather serious themes. There are some unusual animation sequences, which are mostly humorous, and lots of sly observations about relationships and modern life. No car chases, no guns, no explosions. Generally seen as one of the best Australian movies in years.

Jemma W. gave it a9:
I thought this movie was great, i seen it whilst on holiday in NZ. Very moving. would avoid if feeling extremely depressed mind. but worth a look.

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