MY OLD ASS (AMAZON PRIME) (2024)

SYNOPSIS: In this fresh coming-of-age story, an 18th birthday mushroom trip brings free-spirited Elliott (Maisy Stella) face-to-face with her wisecracking 39-year-old self (Aubrey Plaza). But when Elliott’s “old ass” starts handing out warnings about what her younger self should and shouldn’t do, Elliott realizes she has to rethink everything about family, love, and what’s becoming a transformative summer.

MOVIE REVIEW:

People keep saying My Old Ass is the new Aubrey Plaza (Parks and Recreation, Agatha All Along) new comedy. Yes it is. But she is also not on screen for most of the time. The honour goes to Canadian singer Maisy Stella who puts in a pleasant performance as Elliott in this coming-of-age, feel-good comedy.

Elliott (Stella) is turning 18 and before she goes to college, she is going camping with her besties and getting high on psychedelic mushrooms. Shortly, she is visited by her older self (Plaza) who instead of advising her on which company to invest in after Apple advised her to stay away from anyone named Chad. It sounds cryptic and unreal. Maybe it’s just the shrooms. Anyway Elliot is gay so what’s the big deal.

Days after, she met a lanky, long-haired guy named Chad who happens to work as a summer worker at her dad’s cranberry farm. Chad is smart, wise and funny. And Elliott is slowly mesmerised by this mysterious guy whom her older self is asking to avoid. Why and what is happening in this comedy written and directed by Megan Park.

Forget about any time-travelling shenanigan or supernatural element because there are none. The older self gimmick is never explained but trust us, that is not really relevant here.

There are a couple of meaningful themes being discussed here liked the older Elliott advising young Elliott to spend more time with her family members aka her neglected parents, her golf-loving brother Max and as result of being a selfish, distanced teenager who cares less about her family, she is the last to know that her dad is actually selling away their family owned cranberry farm.

We also loved the heartfelt conversation Elliott had with her mother, the somewhat sombre reunion older Elliott had with Chad etc. My Old Ass can be easily categorised as a crude teens comedy about modern sexuality but the narrative hits one on many levels whether it’s emotional or funny liked the Justin Bieber music video spoof.

As mentioned prior, Maisy Stella is a delight as the bubbly teen while Plaza does her usual deadpan comedy with the limited screen time though she is rather impressive in the acting range especially in the finale scene. Running less than 90 minutes, My Old Ass is more about facing your own remorse and regrets rather than running away from it. It’s a cute and touching movie that even old asses will enjoy.

MOVIE RATING:

Review by Linus Tee