My Old Ass

Greetings again from the darkness. Eighteen-year-old Elliott is counting down the twenty-two days remaining until she leaves home for her freshman year of college. For anyone who was once 18 or has raised an 18-year-old, you know that 22 days is the future. Writer-director Megan Park follows up her excellent feature film debut, THE FALLOUT (2021), with a different tone, albeit another one that focuses on the stress of being a teenager.

Maisy Stella landed the role of Daphne on the series "Nashville" at a very young age, and even got to sing on the show with her sister Lennon. Her role as Elliott is her feature film debut, and she proves to be quite charming in front of the camera, with a nice screen presence. A camping trip with her friends Ro (Kerrice Brooks) and Ruthie (Maddie Ziegler) leads to a trip on mushrooms that has the friends hallucinating, while something altogether more extreme happens with Elliott. Coming face-to-face with one's future self while sitting on a log in the woods can only be described as fantastical.

Aubrey Plaza plays from-the-future thirty-nine-year-old (not 40!) Elliott, and though she doesn't have much screen time, her trademark snark fits well, and the scenes with both Elliotts are quite fun. However, this isn't the typical Hollywood body swap/share. The cool twist is that the situation allows for the age-old unsolvable dilemma: what advice would your older self give your younger self if that were possible? While attempting to walk a fine line, the wisdom passed along includes be nice to your mom and your family, and understand that "time goes by so fast". One final bit of counseling involves 'avoiding Chad'. At this point, young Elliott had no idea who Chad is or why she should avoid, but of course, she finds out quickly.

Chad (Percy Hynes-White, "Wednesday") turns out to be a college student working on the family cranberry farm. He's also exceedingly nice and Elliott struggles mightily against falling hard for him. Yes, this is the same Elliott who we've seen in intimate situations with local barista Chelsea (Alexandria Rivera). At its core, this is a contemporary story where a teenager is searching for identity and meaning. Other supporting cast members include Maria Dizzia as mom, Al Goulem as dad, and Seth Isaac-Johnson and Carter Trozzolo as Elliott's brothers - one addicted to golf, the other obsessed with actress Saoirse Ronan (complete with a funny visual).

Some cliches are almost necessary in this type of story, but a mushroom trip featuring a Justin Bieber sequence to "One Less Lonely Girl" is both funny and creative. Offering advice to one's younger self in an attempt to save her from pain is understandable, but can we figure out life at age 18 even if we cheat and get input from our 'middle-aged' self? In fact, what filmmaker Park has done is create a dual coming of age story - one for teens and one for adults. And if you don't like the messages ... well ... at least eat your salmon while it's still around!

In select theaters on September 13, expanded release on September 20, and wide release on September 27, 2024.

If you had the chance to speak with your future self, what would you discuss? That's the opportunity unexpectedly presented to 18-year-old Elliott (Maisy Stella), the daughter of a Canadian cranberry farmer who's about to leave her rural home to attend college in Toronto, a new chapter in her life that she anxiously awaits. To commemorate the occasion, Elliott and her two best friends (Kerrice Brooks, Maddie Ziegler) decide to celebrate by imbibing in festivities involving a brew of magic mushrooms. However, much to her surprise, while in her altered state of consciousness, Elliott meets her 39-year-old self (Aubrey Plaza), who provides the teen with an insightful look into her future. Much of their conversation focuses on things that her younger self could stand to work on, but, perhaps the most significant topic of discussion centers on a warning to avoid involvement with an as-yet-unmet young man named Chad (Percy Hynes White). Not long thereafter, though, Elliott meets this mysterious stranger, who just happens to be a field hand hired to work on the farm for the summer. She quickly becomes smitten with the charming newcomer and wonders why her elder self so vehemently cautions her from getting to know him, advice she promptly ignores. This, of course, raises many pertinent questions, such as must we obediently accept such supposedly prophetic proclamations as gospel? Is our future indeed written in stone? And, even if our destiny is allegedly unalterable, should we unquestioningly abide by any cautions associated with it, or should we follow our gut instincts even knowing what the consequences might be? These are among the themes thoughtfully addressed in writer-director Megan Park's second feature, a sweet coming of age tale with a twist, one punctuated with gentle humor, heartfelt emotions, astute realizations and more than a few intriguing revelations. The picture is also beautifully filmed in the picturesque lake country surrounding Muskoka, Ontario, providing audiences with views of some spectacularly gorgeous scenery reminiscent of "On Golden Pond" (1981). However, despite these strengths, the film feels a little underdeveloped in several regards, particularly when it comes to various supporting characters and subplots, as well as some back story aspects of the elder Elliott's future existence. Given this offering's relatively short 1:29:00 runtime, it's somewhat baffling why the filmmaker didn't take a little extra time to more fully flesh out these elements (after all, it's not like the picture is overlong or tiresomely tedious). Nevertheless, those shortcomings aside, "My Old Ass" is a pleasant, inoffensive way to spend some time at the movies watching an uplifting, enlightening little story that nicely warms the heart and tells a story with an earnest message about how to approach living our lives. And it's hard to find much fault with that.

My Old Ass is a genre-bending coming-of-age story with a wild twist, directed by Megan Park. The film follows free-spirited Elliott (Maisy Stella), a teenager whose life takes an unexpected turn during her 18th birthday when a mushroom trip introduces her to a time-traveling version of herself-her 39-year-old "old ass" (played by Aubrey Plaza). What begins as a surreal encounter quickly turns into a hilarious and heartfelt journey as Elliott's older self starts dishing out unsolicited advice on love, family, and life choices, forcing young Elliott to rethink everything she thought she knew.

Park, following up on her strong debut The Fallout, dives into absurdity with this sophomore film, blending stoner comedy, sci-fi, and emotional drama with just the right touch of Hallmark-style sentimentality. The small-town lake setting of Muskoka, Ontario, adds a postcard-perfect charm to the otherwise wacky narrative, creating a warm contrast to the film's offbeat humor and time-bending antics.

Maisy Stella's portrayal of young Elliott captures the essence of teenage uncertainty and angst, while Aubrey Plaza's older Elliott injects the story with her signature dry wit and offbeat energy. Plaza's performance, which could have easily overshadowed the film, instead complements Elliott's more earnest journey, striking a balance between humor and heartfelt moments. Together, the two create a compelling dynamic that elevates the film beyond its quirky premise.

While the film's surreal elements could have derailed into chaos, Park masterfully keeps things grounded, using the bizarre premise to enhance the emotional stakes. Elliott's internal struggles about growing up, love, and identity hit hard, and even though the film dips into melodrama, it maintains a level of authenticity that resonates.

The supporting cast adds depth to the film, though some characters feel underutilized. Elliott's best friend Ro (Kerrice Brooks) is unfortunately relegated to the role of a sounding board, and her story arc feels a bit underdeveloped. Percy Hynes White's charming portrayal of Chad, Elliott's summer love interest, brings added tension as Elliott's older self warns her against pursuing him, creating a tug-of-war between her past and future desires.

Despite a few familiar tropes, My Old Ass delivers a delightful mix of laughs, emotional beats, and chaotic energy. The film's exploration of identity, time, and the messy transition into adulthood strikes a chord, and Park's playful mixing of genres keeps the ride enjoyable, even if not every element perfectly lands.

With its mix of sci-fi weirdness, heartfelt moments, and stoner comedy, My Old Ass will appeal to those looking for something unconventional but relatable. It's a sweet, funny, and sometimes nostalgic trip that punches with emotional force, often without you even realizing it. Though the film wraps up a little too quickly, it leaves a lasting impression-a fun, surprising, and emotional journey into the complicated world of growing up.

Not a bad movie, charming in parts, but I found the conversations between future self quite boring, quite often they are just talking about what we've just seen on screen, so it's quite repetitive. The whole chad mystery isn't particularly exciting either.

It's a little bit hard to care that much about her journey of discovery that her incredibly nice family are actually nice to hang out with. Or that her area is incredibly beautiful and that hanging out on a boat is quite fun and she might miss it.

That being said I didn't hate it, lots of charming moments, the actors are really good, the setting is beautiful.

Maisy Stella and Aubrey Plaza deliver standout performances that bring depth and charm to their respective roles.

The film's unique premise and clever exploration of self-discovery make it both entertaining and thought-provoking. The movie successfully blends comedic elements with heartfelt moments, creating a well-rounded viewing experience.

Megan Park's direction and the sharp, witty screenplay keep the audience engaged and invested in the characters' journeys.

Occasionally, the film leans into predictable territory, but the overall execution and strong performances more than make up for it.

"My Old Ass" is a delightful, must-watch film that offers a fresh take on the coming-of-age genre, leaving audiences with plenty to ponder about their own life choices and second chances. 🎬✨