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William McInnes, Justine Clarke, Anthony Hayes, Mary Kostakidis, Daniela Farinacci ... see more see more... , Rob Hoad , Leon Teague , Andrew S. Gilbert , Elena Carapetis , Tamara Lees , Andreas Sobik , Lisa Flanagan , Irena Dangov , Jacquelyne Willcox , Laura Peisley , Alex Rafalowicz , Violet Gilbert , Jacqueline Cook , Oliver Gilbert , Miranda Gilbert , Lucia Mastrantone , Isabella Reimer , Jordan Leovic , Edwin Hodgeman , Maggie Dence , Joshua Clarke , Sacha Horler , Alirio Zavarce , Craig Behenna , Taimi Allan , Eliza Lovell , Carmel Johnson , Rocky Feo , Philip Spruce , James L. Edwards , Aaron March , Annie Lindner , Daniel Whyte , Evan Branford , Joe Weber , Daniella Farinacci , Robbie Hoad

Preoccupation with disasters and a growing sense of mortality threaten to derail the growing relationship between the witness of a train accident and the reporter sent to interview her in this daring ... read more read more...drama from emerging Australian filmmaker Sarah Watt. As the weekend draws near, three troubled souls find themselves faced with pivotal, potentially life-changing events. Though the death of her father still looms heavily in her mind, Meryl (Justine Clark) is forced to cut short her bereavement in order to focus on a work-related deadline. While reporter Nick (William McInnes) awaits the prognosis after being informed that he has testicular cancer, his photographer Andy (Anthony Hayes) is preoccupied with his girlfriend's unplanned pregnancy. When a train crashes and Meryl is the sole witness to the horrifying event, Nick and Andy are sent to interview her, sparking an unusual affair between the grieving witness and the troubled reporter. ~ Jason Buchanan, Rovi

Flixster Users

68% liked it

6,223 ratings

Critics

77% liked it

56 critics

PG-13, 1 hr. 40 min.

Directed by: Sarah Watt

Release Date: April 14, 2006

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DVD Release Date: December 5, 2006

Stats: 281 reviews

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Flixster Reviews (281)

  • gator681
    March 28, 2012
    gator681
    On the way home from her father's funeral, Meryl(Justine Clarke), an artst, imagines many scenes of catastrophe before witnessing a man being hit by a train, chasing after his dog. Covering the story for the local newspaper is Nick(William McInnes), a photographer, who has just ... read morebeen diagnosed with testicular cancer. Regardless, Andy(Anthony Hayes), a graduate of the Oliver Stone School of Journalism, complains to his editor, Phil(Andrew S. Gilbert), about the photo that is used with his story. In any case, Andy has more important things to worry about like his girlfriend Anna(Lisa Flanagan) being pregnant.

    I'll give "Look Both Ways" this much. It sure is different with occasional animated interludes but the shark in the pool is a little too obvious. Plus, I admire its willingness to tackle difficult subjects. Sadly, it never quite comes together as it goes from one extreme to another. And the movie also has an alarming lack of focus on characters who even when dealing with extremely important crises somehow also seem very self-involved at the same time, especially Meryl whose moroseness is inferred might originate more from her loneliness than anything else. Or maybe commuter trains in Australia have a very poor safety record, as there are many shots of people walking calmly along train tracks.
  • fb1144932598
    August 15, 2009
    fb1144932598
    A deeply affecting film from first time Australian director Sarah Watt, who also wrote the screen play and did some of the animation. It is about death, and family, and career, and loneliness, and loving, and friendship. In short, it is about life. Terrific actors, a dynamite scr... read moreipt, and characters one can identify with brought the story to life for this viewer. Justine Clark as Meryl, a struggling artist, and William McInness as Nick, a photojournalist who has just received devestating news, bear special mention. I watched it twice and found it just as deeply moving both times. Hard to believe this was a first time effort.
  • danieljparsons
    April 1, 2007
    danieljparsons
    NICK: Do you think you're getting over the shock?

    MERYL: The dad shock or the accident shock? Do you think you can have two at once? Maybe I'm into 'bargaining' on one of them. Y'know, the seven stages of grief. What's the point in knowing where you're up to when... read more you've still got to go through it anyway?

    This is one of those clever-clever films that feature an ensemble cast of characters who are all linked together in someway without knowing how, in the style of Heights and Crash. Unlike the latter, however, I never felt like I was being continually hit over the head with a stick or that coincidences and links became too contrived or over calculating.

    Look Both Ways is a film that everyone who has ever thought about or dealt with mortality or grief can relate to. Meryl, whose father has recently died, imagines her death everywhere she goes - train crashes, drownings, STDs. Nick, who has just discovered he has testicular cancer that has spread to his lungs, is on the verge of complete breakdown. Their paths cross at the scene of a train accident, and an unexpected connection is made.

    If the film sounds depressing, then it is at times, but it is also very thoughtful, funny, observant and beautiful. The acting is first rate (Justine Clarke is particularly brilliant) and the direction is very inventive - Meryl and Nick's thoughts are shown as animation or sped up photo montages and it's a very effective way of showing what they are thinking. The use of songs rather than a music score was also a good decision.

    Finally, there's another link between two characters that I had almost forgotten about that provide a nice and poignant twist, and the ending is done just right.

    Fantastic.
  • KonichiwaKooL
    September 20, 2007
    KonichiwaKooL
    This film reminded me of the human realness/ and humility of "Bridget Jones's Diary." Its about how we all feel connected and disconnected; I loved this because I can see myself and loved ones in each of these characters. Sometimes Loneliness doesn't want to leave us alone..so i... read morets up to us to see through the daily chaos and reach out to connect to another. In this film even the silence between people really is powerful. I highly recommend this one****
  • mshkiki
    June 19, 2007
    mshkiki
    Look Both Ways seems like an interesting movie but wasn't constructed well. The art in this is juvenile. I do like the weird romance though.
  • MisterMarvelous
    June 6, 2007
    MisterMarvelous
    I enjoyed this melodic and well paced exploration of death. I thought the handrawn animations were very well done and fit in nicely. Probably the best Australian film I've ever seen. (And the only... but hey who's countin!).
  • twzinn
    December 24, 2006
    twzinn
    Watch this movie. Finally somebody has found the right mix between animation and human drama. The people seemed real. The drama seemed possible. And even in it's darkest moments I wanted to keep living. This film is a gift. Thank you.

View All Look Both Ways Reviews

Critic Reviews

Janice Page
July 21, 2006
Janice Page, Boston Globe

A black-humored screenplay, realistic performances, eye-catching artwork, and a few creative turns on some well-worn themes. Full Review

G. Allen Johnson
July 14, 2006
G. Allen Johnson, San Francisco Chronicle

Filled with aloof and confused characters just treading water, and even if they are likable, it eventually becomes tiresome. It's like one big pity party. Full Review

Bruce Westbrook
June 9, 2006
Bruce Westbrook, Houston Chronicle

The bottom line is that none of this goes anywhere beyond a droning funeral procession. Full Review

Richard Roeper
May 16, 2006
Richard Roeper, Ebert & Roeper

The film itself is beautifully done. Full Review

David Edelstein
May 12, 2006
David Edelstein, New York Magazine

... deliriously inventive ... Full Review

Ann Hornaday
May 11, 2006
Ann Hornaday, Washington Post

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

Richard Kuipers
May 5, 2006
Richard Kuipers, Variety

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

Steven Rea
May 5, 2006
Steven Rea, Philadelphia Inquirer

Watt's characters ... laugh at themselves and their dark obsessions, and there's something optimistic in the filmmaker's clear-eyed, straightforward storytelling style.

Kenneth Turan
April 28, 2006
Kenneth Turan, Los Angeles Times

... 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. Full Review

Roger Ebert
April 28, 2006
Roger Ebert, Chicago Sun-Times

I watched the movie in a kind of fascination. It is poetic and unforgiving, romantic and stark. Full Review

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