Writer and director Megan Park’s new film, My Old Ass, is a great addition to the coming-of-age genre. It offers plenty of laughs, some tears, and an immense amount of love. The film and its characters explore an appreciation of life that is often overlooked, making it feel like a much-needed breath of fresh air. It’s a film that both parents and their teenagers will see themselves in, potentially leading to a new level of understanding.
On her 18th birthday, Elliott (Maisy Stella) plans to take mushrooms with her friends (Maddie Ziegler and Kerrice Brooks) in the woods. The trip brings Elliott face-to-face with her wisecracking 39-year-old self (Aubrey Plaza). During this odd encounter, Elliott’s “old ass” starts with some simple advice that quickly turns into warnings about what her younger self should and shouldn’t do. This leads to some real soul-searching, as Elliott realizes she has to rethink everything about family, love, and what’s shaping up to be a transformative summer.
Plaza is perfectly cast as the older Elliott. She has a lot of fun playing with the idea of interacting with her younger self. The movie leans into the sci-fi aspect of the connection between Elliott and her older self as the story progresses. Elliott is unsure whether it was a hallucination or some cosmic connection that’s too challenging to explain. It’s a fun aspect of the story, and Plaza really thrives in this setting. In their first meeting, Plaza’s character puts her phone number in Elliott’s phone, and they discover they can communicate across time. This is played on in a few other ways, but the movie wisely doesn’t waste time trying to explain it.
Stella is fantastic in the leading role. She is a ton of fun and handles the emotional aspects perfectly. As she tries to connect with her brothers (Seth Isaac Johnson and Carter Trozzolo) and spend time with her mother (Maria Dizzia), the audience will likely laugh at several moments and cry at others. While the scenes with her family are powerful, the film truly shines in the story of Elliott and Chat (Percy Hynes White).
If either actor didn’t deliver their part of the performance or if the chemistry between them wasn’t believable, the story would simply fall apart. Fortunately, Stella and White have tons of chemistry. In fact, White’s charm is so strong that the audience knows exactly what Elliott is feeling. Their connection feels so organic and natural that it makes the movie feel all the more lived in.
My Old Ass is a feel-good movie in the best way. It’s a pure joy to watch and should resonate with anyone who is either going through the process of becoming an adult or looking back longingly at the “good ol’ days.” The entire cast delivers in really great ways, and it’s a blast to experience their stories.
My Old Ass is in select theaters on September 13 and everywhere on September 27.
Rating: 5/5
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