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Look Both Ways (2005)

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clip 'You're dumping me because you've got cancer?' education content clip 1

Original classification rating: M. This clip chosen to be PG

Clip description

Nick (William McInnes) and Meryl (Justine Clarke) break up in a public park, beside a group of families playing cricket. Nick tells her he’s not in a position to start a relationship. Meryl reacts angrily. He then explains why. Meryl runs away, overcome with shame and embarrassment. Nick, feeling foolish and forlorn, walks away in the other direction.

Curator’s notes

by Paul Byrnes

A spectacularly good scene, exquisitely pitched between tragedy and comedy. Justine Clarke’s timing is superb, as she goes from bewilderment to anger to disbelief to acute shame, all in the space of a few seconds. Placing this scene in a public place makes it much funnier, and more painful. It’s certainly no coincidence that it’s in front of a multiracial group of families playing cricket, or that we see a train in the background. There are at least three references to cricket in the film, and many more to trains. The symbolism may be to do with order and chaos. Trains bring death in this film, through terrible accidents. Cricket may be a symbol of life and community, an affirmation of a sense of order and optimism. Very few people die on a cricket pitch. Or it may be Watt’s symbol of duration – dying is getting out, and you only have so long at the crease. Or perhaps she just loves cricket!

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australianscreen is produced by the National Film and Sound Archive. By using the website you agree to comply with the terms and conditions described elsewhere on this site. The NFSA may amend the 'Conditions of Use’ from time to time without notice.

All materials on the site, including but not limited to text, video clips, audio clips, designs, logos, illustrations and still images, are protected by the Copyright Laws of Australia and international conventions.

When you access australianscreen you agree that:

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  • You may embed the clip for non-commercial educational purposes including for use on a school intranet site or a school resource catalogue.
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