By Alex Gilston October 1, 2024
If you were given the chance to speak to a future version of yourself, what would you do? Presumably ask them about the state of the world, the state of your life, or even maybe ask if they remember next week’s lottery numbers? Whatever you do it’d be a unique opportunity to ask for an insight into your future, and one that many people would elect to experience. As desirable as it might be, My Old Ass lovingly argues why it might not be such a good idea.
Synopsis
On a trip into the woods on her birthday with her friends Elliot (Maisy Stella) decides to take mushrooms. In doing so she’s presented with her 39-year-old self (Aubrey Plaza). As they talk, Elliot’s older self starts to dole out warnings about her future making her unsure about the big decisions she’ll soon be making.
Review
My Old Ass is kind of like a Kinder Egg. Sure, unwrapping it and eating the chocolate is a highlight, but the real surprise is waiting for you buried inside. But before you get to the little toy in three pieces you do have to get through the chocolate. In the case of My Old Ass it’s delightful. It’s a coming-of-age story where the main character gets to see the outcome, which leaves for some hilarious interaction. When the two first meet it’s all silly and jovial, and both Stella and Plaza play it comically. At the end of the day why wouldn’t you quip about how you’ve aged and what life choices you’ve made.
As the two continue to bond, younger Elliot asks for some sage advice and all older Elliot tells her is to avoid Chad. Of course that’s when Chad is introduced, so Elliot spends her time not only trying to avoid him, but working out why. From this point on My Old Ass becomes something more than a silly comedy about meeting your older self. As things progress and Elliot gets ready to leave her hometown, she starts to question everything. Her choices, her relationships with her family, her sexuality, Chad. Everything. My Old Ass perfectly encapsulates the uncertainty of youth through this narrative.
It’s the surprise of a Kinder Egg that’s the true treat though (yes we’re still running with this metaphor, sorry). A final act revelation pulls everything in My Old Ass into perspective. Older Elliott’s motivations for asking younger Elliot to avoid Chad are revealed, and it’s heart-breaking. Writer and director Megan Park weaves a tapestry lovingly dedicated to the human condition. My Old Ass sits us down and tells us that we’re so preoccupied with looking to the future, and how things will turn out, that we forget to live in the now. Heartbreak, loss, dark days, it’s all inevitable, however if we wrap ourselves in cotton wool we’ll never love, and most importantly we’ll never LIVE.
My Old Ass is simultaneously hilarious and emotionally resonant. There is life pulsing through its veins, and you’ll come out of it, hopefully, with a renewed vigour for the here and now. And look if a 90 minute comedy where someone asks if they can kiss their older self “just to see what it’s like” can achieve this, then it truly succeeds as a piece of art.
Star Rating
My Old Ass is out now in cinemas
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