Reviews

Maisy Stella ends up having an existential crisis after meeting her older self, played by Aubrey Plaza, in this comedy-drama.

Megan Park’s coming-of-age comedy-drama follows Elliott (Maisy Stella), a teenager who cannot wait to leave her family and their cranberry farm behind in the beautiful Muskoka Lakes to go to university in Toronto, Canada.

She finally stops taking what she has for granted when she tries mushrooms on a camping trip and meets her older self (played by Aubrey Plaza). Older Elliott advises her younger self not to fall for a boy named Chad (Percy Hynes White), who miraculously starts work at the family farm the following day.

Despite older Elliott’s warning, younger Elliott cannot help but develop a crush on Chad.

My Old Ass, which is produced by Margot Robbie’s LuckyChap Entertainment, is delightful, funny and surprisingly moving. Park is 38 but she has the uncanny ability to write modern day teenagers with spot-on accuracy. Elliott and her friends Ruthie (Maddie Ziegler) and Ro (Kerrice Brooks) feel like real people and it is a delight to follow their antics.

Plaza is the big name on the poster but the star of the show is Stella, who people might recognise as the former child star from the TV show Nashville. She is natural, effortless and charming and a very likeable lead.

Her co-star Plaza may be best known for her comedy work but she’s just as capable delivering the goods dramatically – she depicts the more sad and serious side of Elliott and her performance may possibly bring you to tears. Maria Dizzia also deserves a mention for her touching portrayal of Elliott’s mum, which will make you want to go home and call your parents right away.

My Old Ass is an endearing film that will make you laugh, cry and give you plenty to think about, from what you’d tell your younger/older self to how your treat your family and hometown.

In cinemas from Friday 27th September.

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