Look Both Ways, the newest Netflix original film, follows a young lady who finds herself at a crossroads with two distinct lives unfolding in front of her. This idea has undoubtedly been explored in a variety of media, and for good cause. Imagining all the ways a person can be impacted by particular situations or choices is an alluring thought. Wanuri Kahiu's film Look Both Ways, which he also directed, doesn't fully explore this concept. Look Both Ways struggles to leave a lasting impression with either of its competing timelines, despite the best efforts of its leading woman Lili Reinhart.A prospective life change prevents aspiring animator Natalie (Reinhart) from moving to Los Angeles after she graduates from college. She may have been pregnant as a result of a recent, careless liaison with her good friend Gabe (Danny Ramirez). Two routes then open up from there. In one, Natalie gives up her life in Los Angeles while pregnant to raise her child with Gabe in Texas. In the other, motherhood isn't in the cards, so she and BFF Cara can immediately begin their careers (Aisha Dee). It becomes evident as both Natalies go through their lives that some things are truly meant to be, regardless of the events that led up to them.But when the film settles into its two distinct rhythms, the novelty fades. The plot lacks urgency, which could be due to either sluggish pacing or straightforward staging. Each of Natalie's two excursions feels like it was forced upon her rather than being an essential part of the narrative. Each narrative's trajectory is predictable as well, but that isn't necessarily a bad thing because a well-told known story may be satisfying. Look Both Ways, on the other hand, has a definite feeling of squandered opportunity.
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