My Old Ass: Sundance London Film Review
I had a feeling My Old Ass would be my kind of film but I was not prepared for how much I absolutely adored it.
Megan Park‘s coming-of-age comedy stars Maisy Stella as Elliott, a teenager who takes her family, their cranberry farm and their beautiful home on Muskoka Lakes for granted. She cannot wait to leave her life behind and move to Toronto for university. That all changes when she takes shrooms on a camping trip and meets her older self (played by Aubrey Plaza), who advises her not to fall in love with Chad. Lo and behold, a boy named Chad (Percy Hynes White) starts working at the farm for the summer and she’s attracted to him immediately.
I loved everything about My Old Ass; the writing is sharp, funny, poignant and age-appropriate for the characters, each actor brings so much charm and personality to the screen, and I adored the journey the film took Elliott (and us) on. I was Elliott; so excited to move to London that I didn’t give much thought about what I was leaving behind. Therefore, the message about not taking your family or home for granted really resonated with me.
Plaza is the big name here but the star of the show is Stella, who I last saw as a child star in the TV show Nashville. After taking years away from acting, she makes her comeback with My Old Ass and she is exceptional. Her performance is natural, effortless and so charismatic. I can’t wait to see what she does next.
Plaza takes a supporting role and lets Stella and White shine but she still delivers the goods. She isn’t in full comedy mode here; older Elliott is more serious and sad (due to reasons that will be revealed) and Plaza’s performance moved me to tears. It makes you think about what you would tell your younger self if you had the chance.
My Old Ass – produced by Margot Robbie‘s LuckyChap – is a wonderful film that made me laugh and cry. I can’t wait to see it again.
Seen at Sundance London