My Old Ass Review 2024: Always-Welcoming Aubrey Plaza Arrives From the Future in Young Adult Dramatic Drama
In “My Old Ass,” it might take a little time to warm up to 18-year-old Elliott (Maisy Stella). She’s young, absorbed in her own world, and appears quite dismissive, especially towards her small-town cranberry-farming family, as she eagerly anticipates her journey to college in the big city. However, don’t let her initial attitude overshadow the brilliance of Canadian actor-turned-director Megan Park’s coming-of-age comedy tailored for young adults. While older audiences might find Elliott’s impulsive nature a bit challenging, the movie’s greatness becomes evident, and you’ll find yourself captivated by Elliott’s character development.
My Old Ass Review 2024
Megan Park, building on the success of her debut “The Fallout,” strategically weaves a magic trick into the narrative. During a lakeside camping trip with her friends, including Maddie Ziegler and Kerrice Brooks, Elliott, under the influence of shrooms, encounters her 39-year-old self (Aubrey Plaza). Plaza’s mature performance resonates, adding depth to the storyline. As the two selves interact, offering a blend of supernatural elements and intuitive insights, the movie takes an unexpected yet refreshingly captivating turn.
The enigmatic advice to “avoid Chad” sets the stage for an intriguing twist. Despite the seemingly harmless nature of a new acquaintance named Chad, there’s an undeniable tension in the back-and-forth between young and older Elliott. As the narrative unfolds, the dialogue between the two selves becomes a supernatural conduit for valuable life lessons. Older Elliott imparts wisdom that transcends the conventional advice one might receive from external sources, given her unique perspective of having lived through those crucial years.
“My Old Ass” isn’t just a film; it’s an honest portrayal of adolescent desires, self-discovery, and the tumultuous journey of questioning one’s sexual identity. Park’s approach, laden with casual profanity and daring scenarios, serves as a potent teaching tool for the young adult audience. Drawing from her experience on “The Secret Life of the American Teenager,” Park expertly navigates delicate subjects, making her YA comedy both humorous and poignant, without being patronizing.
Park’s script strikes a delicate balance, blending humor with poignancy, as it explores the yearning for independence while cherishing the last moments at home. The movie’s breathtaking landscapes and unexpected twists redefine its genre, leaving audiences emotionally invested. Plaza’s character wisely remarks, “This isn’t the last time you get exactly what you want and realize it isn’t what you wanted,” a sentiment that encapsulates the film’s profound message: the intergenerational exchange of wisdom.
In “My Old Ass,” Megan Park masterfully crafts a narrative that challenges preconceptions and reminds us that, regardless of age, there’s always something to learn from each other.