Look Both Ways
Review by Clint Morris
Slow and steady may win the race, but did anyone care to
notice that the unpretentious tortoise is actually a more
appealing character to watch anyway?
Whilst the featureless and bombastic hare bolts to the finish
line, the outsized tortoise gives people time to keep up with
him. He's also got a lot more character than his antagonist,
is appealing because he's not so sure of himself, and principally,
doesn't seem to be interested in winning no race.
He's just happy to be in the game.
The same parallel can be applied to a Hollywood blockbuster
vs. Sarah Watt's intriguing new Australian film. It's slow,
it's unusual, and it mightn't be as full of life as the film
showing in the next theatre - but boy, it's a lot more interesting.
Set over the course of a weekend and fixing on a string of
characters that are all inter-connected in one way or another,
the film's lone purpose is to fix on the different ways we
grieve, and in particular, adapt to bereavement and loss.
Newspaper photographer Nick (William McInnes) has just found
out that he's got testicular cancer - and sees it as his death
certificate and Meryl (Justine Clarke) is returning from her
father's funeral and had nothing but death - envisioning herself
being killed in numerous ways - on her mind. Through chance,
they meet up.
Meantime, Andy (Anthony Hayes), an embittered journalist
who's one temper tantrum short of having an aneurysm, becomes
even more confused when his Anna (Lisa Flanagan) announces
she's pregnant.
As the weekend progresses, and the temperature rises; this
clique of dissimilar folk must battle with their issues of
life and death.
Look Both Ways mightn't be the film to put some much
needed air in the deflated tyres of the Australian Film Industry,
but it is a sign that things might be changing for the better.
Seems we've returned to captivating character pieces and films
that put script before star.
Not that a couple of the talents in this don't deserve to
be stars after their performances here. William McInnes ('SeaChange',
'Blue Heelers') gives the performance of his career - he immerses
himself in the emotion and distraught of his downtrodden character.
In addition, Justine Clarke ('Home and Away') proves she's
learnt a lot since leaving the world of TV soapies and turns
in a gutsy, highly credible performance. Best of all, both
McInnes and Clarke seem to have some real chemistry.
In their respective support roles, Anthony Hayes, Lisa Flanagan,
Andrew Gilbert and Daniela Farinacci are as in-tune as a well-oiled
piano. Their emotions seem real, their motivations seem level-headed,
and their characters - purely unforgettable.
The real star of the show though is Sarah Watt. Her script
and direction is as strong as Tarzan grip. She's concocted
something quite unique - everything from the visuals, to the
character motivations, the way they amalgamate, to simply
capturing the idiosyncrasies of everyday life - is spot-on.
Not everyone will be hooked by some of her brave choices
(and truth be told, a couple of people walked out of the screening
I was in - about ten minutes in), but those with a penchant
for the visual-stirring and anarchic storytelling will be
in Valhalla. What starts out as a seemingly austere, near-depressing
film results in something exactly the contrary: seemingly
Watt's plan right from the outset.
Look Both Ways is a highlight for Australian Cinema.
It's probably the best Australian drama since Lantana,
but best of all, an indication that our local industry might
soon be climbing out of the messy borough.
3.5 out of 5
Look Both Ways
Australian release: Thursday the 18th of August, 2005
Cast: William McInnes, Justine Clarke, Anthony Hayes,
Lisa Flanagan, Daniela Farinacci, Andrew S. Gilbert, Sacha
Horler.
Directors: Sarah Watt.
Website: Click
here.
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