Look Both Ways (2005)

User Rating:

7.0/10   

Director:

Sarah Watt

Writer:

Sarah Watt (writer)

Release Date:

18 August 2005 (Australia)

Genre:

Drama | Romance

Tagline:

Disaster Is Everywhere

Plot:

During one unusually hot weekend, four friends struggle after hearing some life-changing news.

Plot Keywords:

Part Animated | Television News | Rain | Train Driver | Painting

Awards:

20 wins & 16 nominations

Cast

Mary Kostakidis	...	SBS Newsreader
Justine Clarke	...	Meryl Lee
Daniella Farinacci	...	Julia (as Daniela Farinacci)
Robbie Hoad	...	Rob (as Rob Hoad)
William McInnes	...	Nick
Leon Teague	...	Doctor
Andrew S. Gilbert	...	Phil
Anthony Hayes	...	Andy Walker
Elena Carapetis	...	Maria
Tamara Lee	...	Policewoman (as Tamara Lees)
Andreas Sobik	...	Train Driver
Lisa Flanagan	...	Anna
Irena Dangov	...	Train Driver's Wife
Jacquelynne Willcox	...	Current Affairs Reporter
Laura Peisley	...	Emily

Also Known As:

Life Story (Australia) (working title)

MPAA:

Rated PG-13 for some violent images, sexual content and thematic material.

Runtime:

Australia:100 min | Argentina:100 min (Mar del Plata Film Festival)

Country:

Australia

Language:

English

Color:

Color

Aspect Ratio:

1.85 : 1

Sound Mix:

Dolby Digital

Certification:

USA:PG-13 | Sweden:11 | Singapore:PG | UK:12A | Ireland:12A | Hong Kong:IIA | Argentina:13 | Australia:M

Filming Locations:

Adelaide Festival Theatre, Adelaide, South Australia, Australia

Company:

Hibiscus Films

Trivia:

The film was selected as a film text by the Australian State of Victoria's Curriculum and Assessment Authority.

Quotes:

Meryl Lee: Cancer cancer? You're dumping me because you've got cancer? Shouldn't I be dumping you if you've got cancer?

Movie Connections:

References "The Saddle Club" (2001)

A joyful film about death

I saw this new Australian film several days ago and I can't stop thinking about it. A joyful film about death sounds like impossible but this one does it, brilliantly. The acting is just right - not showy, doesn't get in the way of the storytelling, understated but terrific. The lead actress is wonderful, just perfect for the part - awkward, uncertain, and very funny. Some of the actors who appear in several scenes have no lines, or only a handful, but this just underscores the quiet intensity of the script.

It reminded me of some of Altman's best stuff, separate story threads that wind in and out of each other, sometimes intimately intertwined and sometimes very briefly touching. Can't think of any other movie it compares to very closely, State and Main would be the nearest I can think of, although this is less of a comedy and more a thinking and feeling film.

I've no idea if or when it's going to get released elsewhere, but catch it if you can.