My Old Ass

Plot

18 year old Elliott is about to leave her small town near Ontario, for Toronto, where she plans to head to college. She is going to leave her girlfriend Chelsea, and her two best friends Ro and Ruthie.

Her family, with mum Kathy, dad Tom, and brothers Max and Spenser – are planning on selling their family cranberry farm once she has left, but have neglected to inform her.

On ‘girls trip’ with her other friends Ruthie and Ro, they take magic mushrooms, and while hallucinating – she ‘meets’ her 39 year old self (who she calls ” my old ass”)- who warns her not to engage with ‘Chad’ due to what will happen in the future.

The next day, she meets Chad, who seems overtly charming, and makes her question herself, her sexuality and her place with her family.

Direction

Beautiful direction by Megan Park, who I previously reviewed for her 2021 film The Fallout.

Cast/Characters

Aubrey Plaza plays the role of 39 year old Elliott, who really only appears onscreen in bookends of the film.

Other than that she has prominent voice-work when she talks over the phone to young Elliott throughout the duration of the film, and at one point goes ‘missing’ for roughly four days.

She will break your heart, especially with the ‘third act reveal’ of what “Chad does” that is the cause of her warnings. As good as she is, she is better in other films – especially Emily The Criminal, which I have reviewed previously.

It is Maisey Stella who plays the role of 18 year old Elliott, who steals the show, with her nuanced performance. She is charming, engaging and vulnerable at times with the one on ones she has with her friends, family, Chelsea and Chad.

Percy Hynes White is perfectly cast as the mysteriously charming Chad, who Elliott begins to fall for.

Breakdown

The cinematography of the small town of Port Carling, Ontario is beautiful – with the islands being the focal point of Elliott’s story.

Elliott’s identity is questioned throughout the film too, as when we are introduced to her, she considers herself gay. The introduction to Chad makes her question this, especially as ‘my old ass’ hints that he plays an important part of her life.

I loved their ‘first’ meeting, especially the lack of any non diegetic sound during this conversation.

“My old ass” also gives Elliott sound advice to spend more time with her family, especially her mother (which we worry that she has passed on, this is a red herring in regards to the mother). She takes this advise, with some lovely moments shown, especially between Elliott and her brother Max.

The family dynamics, which were once strained become less so as the days leading up to her departure get closer, and a family once fractured by teen angst, becomes one that is more secure and more harmonious.

The third act reveal, that *** spoiler *** Chad dies young, and that ‘My Old Ass’ doesn’t want Elliott to go through that trauma, is a gut punch – especially as we grow so fond of him, and that he is indeed the nice guy.

Overall

A wonderfully unique film, that puts a different spin on the ‘body swap’ and ‘time travel’ trope. It is wonderfully performed, with great performances, especially from Stella and White, who have great chemistry together.

With a beautiful tender score at times, that complements the backdrop, this gets a strong recommend from me.

4.5/5

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