Actress turned writer/director Megan Park’s second feature, My Old Ass, is a hilarious and touching romantic comedy about appreciating everything growing up has to offer.
A title like “My Old Ass” is sure to elicit a response from people who see it displayed on their theater marquees, whether that reaction is positive or negative, this film is a beautiful and crowd-pleasing look at the age-old question “If I could give my younger self one piece of advice, what would it be?”. Writer/Director Megan Park’s directorial debut from 2021, The Fallout, was a heartbreaking and honest look at the aftermath of school shootings through the lens of a survivor, while this time around, the material she is working with is a lot more lighthearted, she still manages to pack some massive gut-punches in the films final moments.
My Old Ass follows 18-year-old Elliott (Maisy Stella), who goes on a camping trip with her two best friends (Kerrice Brooks & Maddie Ziegler) to indulge in some mushrooms for her birthday. During their fantastical fungal trip, Elliott’s “old ass” (Aubrey Plaza) appears to give her one piece of advice before going off to college: avoid Chad (Percy Hynes White) at all costs. Elliott must now choose to make decisions for herself or to heed her future self’s warnings. Park’s script and direction are excellent, but the cast takes her material to incredible new heights. Maisy Stella, a Canadian actress and singer famous for her role in the television series, Nashville, effortlessly captures the audience’s attention from the opening of the film. Stella has so much charisma, to the point where I was shocked this was her first film, hilarious at times and deeply honest, her performance is among the best I’ve seen this year. Aubrey Plaza also gives a career-best performance as a disgruntled mentor stuck in her past mistakes. Among this advice to avoid Chad, Elliott’s Old Ass begs her younger self to spend more time with her family before she leaves for college, as things won’t be the same when she returns home next.
The film tackles many aspects of growing up, moving away from a family home, growing closer to your siblings, and figuring out what you want in a relationship, to name a few. While this is familiar territory for coming-of-age films, this has a unique sci-fi twist that makes it stand out from the crowd. Elliott and her Old Ass’s conversations about life are among the best moments of the film as they can be hilarious at one moment, then incredibly emotional at the next. During the comedic moments between the two, my entire audience including myself was in tears of laughter as they traded insults with one another which instantly connected the audience to the characters.
Besides the two main stars, the entire cast is incredible, Kerrice Brooks & Maddie Ziegler bring so much authenticity to their performances as Elliott’s two best friends, with Brooks being a standout with some of the funniest moments in the film and excelling in her dramatic moments with Stella. Elliott’s younger brothers Max & Spencer (Seth Isaac Johnson & Carter Trozzolo) bring even more lightheartedness with Trozzolo arguably having the funniest moment in the film, while also being a lovely portrayal of a little brother who will miss his older sister. Elliott’s mom, Kathy (Maria Dizzia), gives a touching performance in the limited time she is on screen as a mom who is proud of her child for growing up, with extremely emotional results.
After hearing Elliott’s Old Ass warn her of an unknown boy named Chad, Elliott is confused as she is a lesbian, but throughout the story begins to question her sexuality in an honest portrayal of the Gen Z experience. The romance in the film is incredibly strong, due to the sweet dialogue and the sheer chemistry Percy Hynes White and Maisy Stella have together. You want to root for this couple regardless of Plaza’s previous warnings, as they feel like people audiences may know in real life. The film oozes charm from every aspect, not just the performances. The script is filled to the brim with sweet and honest dialogue, the direction is engaging and realistic, the cinematography by Kristen Correll is gorgeous to look at with plenty of dynamic shots to engage audiences visually, and the score by Tyler Hilton is cozy and appropriate for the films lakeside setting. All of these elements work in tandem to create a nostalgic atmosphere for the film, even though this was my first time watching it. While it is cozy, it makes the emotional punches in the film’s final moments hit a lot harder, as the audience has grown to enjoy the atmosphere our protagonist is leaving behind.
My Old Ass will not only be a classic for Gen Z but for anyone who has ever felt scared about growing up or discovering who they are. Its authentic performances, hilarious moments, and playful direction will win over the hearts of audiences alike, as it shows every aspect of maturing, and how it is essential to becoming happy once you discover who you truly are.
My Old Ass is written and directed by Megan Park, starring Maisy Stella, Aubrey Plaza, Percy Hynes White, Kerrice Brooks, and Maddie Ziegler. Amazon MGM Studios will release the film in NYC/LA on September 13th 2024, before expanding nationwide on September 27th, 2024.
