My Old Ass speaks to the common expertise of tripping on mushrooms and seeing Aubrey Plaza present up subsequent to you to provide you free recommendation. This coming-of-age dramedy is written and directed by Megan Park, who beforehand helmed the 2021 movie The Fallout. This film stars Maisy Stella as Elliott Labrant, a latest highschool graduate who takes mushrooms and finds herself speaking to her 39-year-old self. This movie premiered at Sundance and is getting a theatrical launch that I can’t assist however root for. It’s essentially the most touching, must-see coming-of-age movie of the 12 months.
I need individuals to see this film and discuss it. It’s produced by Margot Robbie and Tom Ackerley, who most just lately produced final 12 months’s Barbie and Saltburn. This film must be the speak of the city, particularly given how unbelievable it’s. I’m a sucker for a heartwarming movie like this, primarily as a result of it throws in a contact of supernatural enjoyable. My Outdated Ass is a refreshing character piece that spends a lot time with its protagonist and her relationship along with her mom, brother, love curiosity, buddies, and even her older self. In lesser arms, this film may have been overstuffed, however Park makes it work.
At first, I wasn’t certain in regards to the movie. The humor was satisfactory, however one thing in regards to the power felt barely muted. It might have been the dearth of a musical rating, particularly throughout the scene the place Older Elliott first seems, when it may have benefitted from this. It feels awkward at first, and it takes time to get you on its wavelength. Nonetheless, one fixed all through your entire movie is Stella’s efficiency. She is a delight, creating a personality you possibly can cheer on although she’s as flawed and messy as anybody her age.
One high quality of her efficiency I caught early on was that it didn’t really feel like an Aubrey Plaza impression. It will make sense to provide an impression of the well-known actor enjoying your older self (simply ask Joseph Gordon-Levitt, who performs younger Bruce Willis in Looper), primarily as a result of Plaza has such a definite persona and demeanor. In some way, the younger and older variations of Elliott nonetheless really feel like the identical particular person. A part of it is because Plaza has a lot much less display screen time than chances are you’ll assume, however Stella additionally performs the character with a grounded sincerity that you simply couldn’t get if she had been caught matching Plaza’s mannerisms.
My Outdated Ass does an outstanding job of posing the query: what would you inform your youthful self? The screenplay expertly weaves in profound emotional concepts grounded in an individual advising their youthful self to keep away from making the errors they know they’ll make. The movie picks up significantly throughout the second half whereas crafting a nuanced, well-crafted view of Elliott’s sexuality. Whereas Older Elliott isn’t onscreen as a lot as anticipated, it really works as a result of this movie is in regards to the youthful Elliott. An excessive amount of Aubrey Plaza may have her steal the limelight, so the movie works completely as this film star car for Maisy Stella.
This movie is a meditative crowd-pleaser that works on many ranges. Older Elliott advises her youthful self to keep away from a boy named Chad. Quickly sufficient, Elliott meets Chad. After we finally discover out why Older Elliott needs her youthful self to keep away from him, it’s genuinely heartbreaking, however there’s a nature to it that feels earned and emotionally resonant. Moreover, the dialogue is all the time dealt with with immense expertise. Stella and Percy Hynes White are charming presences, and the dialogue all the time feels natural. They match one another’s power effectively, and Park does an excellent job of writing dialogue designed to make the characters snigger, not essentially the viewers.
The characters usually communicate in a means that’s very correct to Gen Z, and not less than one second with Elliott and her mom, performed by Maria Dizzia, will communicate to anybody who has ever had a detailed relationship with their mother. The film balances out the views very effectively, exhibiting that not solely does Elliott have rather a lot to study from her extra mature, skilled older self, however her older self additionally has rather a lot to study from her free-spirited youthful self who isn’t scared to make errors and dwell life.
Total, My Outdated Ass is a fantastic film with a bittersweet nature. It leaves you on an emotional excessive notice that may go away you smiling via your tears. Maddie Ziegler and Kerrice Brooks are additionally beautiful presences as Elliott’s buddies. One thing a couple of film that touches on so many lovely, relatable coming-of-age themes whereas being a robust LGBTQ+ narrative can have you feeling all of the feels. It’s top-of-the-line motion pictures of the 12 months, and it’s a must to add it to your watchlist.
SCORE: 8/10
As ComingSoon’s review policy explains, a rating of 8 equates to “Nice.” Whereas there are just a few minor points, this rating signifies that the artwork succeeds at its aim and leaves a memorable affect.
Disclosure: ComingSoon attended a press screening for our My Outdated Ass evaluation.
