My Old Ass speaks to the common expertise of tripping on mushrooms and seeing Aubrey Plaza present up subsequent to you to provide you free recommendation. This coming-of-age dramedy is written and directed by Megan Park, who beforehand helmed the 2021 movie The Fallout. This film stars Maisy Stella as Elliott Labrant, a current highschool graduate who takes mushrooms and finds herself speaking to her 39-year-old self. This movie premiered at Sundance and is getting a theatrical launch that I can’t assist however root for. It’s essentially the most touching, must-see coming-of-age movie of the 12 months.

I need folks to see this film and discuss it. It’s produced by Margot Robbie and Tom Ackerley, who most lately produced final 12 months’s Barbie and Saltburn. This film needs to be the speak of the city, particularly given how incredible it’s. I’m a sucker for a heartwarming movie like this, primarily as a result of it throws in a contact of supernatural enjoyable. My Old Ass is a refreshing character piece that spends a lot time with its protagonist and her relationship together with her mom, brother, love curiosity, buddies, and even her older self. In lesser fingers, this film might have been overstuffed, however Park makes it work.

At first, I wasn’t positive concerning the movie. The humor was satisfactory, however one thing concerning the power felt barely muted. It might have been the dearth of a musical rating, particularly throughout the scene the place Older Elliott first seems, when it might have benefitted from this. It feels awkward at first, and it takes time to get you on its wavelength. However, one fixed all through your entire movie is Stella’s efficiency. She is a delight, creating a personality you possibly can cheer on despite the fact that she’s as flawed and messy as anybody her age.

One high quality of her efficiency I caught early on was that it didn’t really feel like an Aubrey Plaza impression. It would make sense to provide an impression of the well-known actor enjoying your older self (simply ask Joseph Gordon-Levitt, who performs younger Bruce Willis in Looper), primarily as a result of Plaza has such a definite persona and demeanor. Somehow, the younger and older variations of Elliott nonetheless really feel like the identical individual. Part of it’s because Plaza has a lot much less display screen time than you might assume, however Stella additionally performs the character with a grounded sincerity that you just couldn’t get if she had been caught matching Plaza’s mannerisms.

My Old Ass does an outstanding job of posing the query: what would you inform your youthful self? The screenplay expertly weaves in profound emotional concepts grounded in an individual advising their youthful self to keep away from making the errors they know they’ll make. The movie picks up significantly throughout the second half whereas crafting a nuanced, well-crafted view of Elliott’s sexuality. While Older Elliott will not be onscreen as a lot as anticipated, it really works as a result of this movie is concerning the youthful Elliott. Too a lot Aubrey Plaza might have her steal the limelight, so the movie works completely as this film star automobile for Maisy Stella.

This movie is a meditative crowd-pleaser that works on many ranges. Older Elliott advises her youthful self to keep away from a boy named Chad. Soon sufficient, Elliott meets Chad. When we finally discover out why Older Elliott desires her youthful self to keep away from him, it’s genuinely heartbreaking, however there’s a nature to it that feels earned and emotionally resonant. Furthermore, the dialogue is at all times dealt with with immense expertise. Stella and Percy Hynes White are charming presences, and the dialogue at all times feels natural. They match one another’s power effectively, and Park does an outstanding job of writing dialogue designed to make the characters chortle, not essentially the viewers.

The characters typically converse in a means that’s very correct to Gen Z, and no less than one second with Elliott and her mom, performed by Maria Dizzia, will converse to anybody who has ever had a detailed relationship with their mother. The film balances out the views very effectively, displaying that not solely does Elliott have lots to be taught from her extra mature, skilled older self, however her older self additionally has lots to be taught from her free-spirited youthful self who will not be scared to make errors and stay life.

Overall, My Old Ass is a phenomenal film with a bittersweet nature. It leaves you on an emotional excessive be aware that may depart you smiling by your tears. Maddie Ziegler and Kerrice Brooks are additionally beautiful presences as Elliott’s buddies. Something a couple of film that touches on so many stunning, relatable coming-of-age themes whereas being a robust LGBTQ+ narrative may have you feeling all of the feels. It’s the most effective motion pictures of the 12 months, and it’s important to add it to your watchlist.

SCORE: 8/10

As ComingSoon’s overview coverage explains, a rating of 8 equates to “Great.” While there are just a few minor points, this rating signifies that the artwork succeeds at its objective and leaves a memorable influence.

Disclosure: ComingSoon attended a press screening for our My Old Ass overview.