What happens when a stoner comedy with a stoner comedy title and a stoner comedy premise turns out to be an unabashedly sentimental and decidedly queer coming-of-age drama? Well, folks, allow me to introduce you to My Old Ass. Writer-director Megan Park, with her feature debut, has assembled all the usual parts to make you think you’re in for a film to light up to, but upends your expectations by ripping your heart out instead.
Featuring a breakthrough performance by Maisy Stella along with a beautifully grounded supporting cast, Stella plays Elliott, a soon-to-be University of Toronto freshman, who spends the last days of summer on her family’s cranberry farm. She has a girlfriend she’ll be leaving behind, but otherwise feels ready to start her life. The film opens with Elliott and her best friends Ro (Kerrice Brooks) and Ruthie (Maddie Ziegler) camping out in the woods for a last blowout involving magic mushrooms. During her narcotics trip, Elliott encounters her 39-year-old self in the form of Aubrey Plaza, who oddly bears zero resemblance to her younger self. I suppose it doesn’t really matter. When Aubrey Plaza wants to appear in your film, you say “Yes, Aubrey Plaza!” every single time. She can make any film worth seeing. I’m talking to you Megalopolis!
Older Elliott imparts some wisdom on her young protégé, telling her to pay closer attention to her loved ones and to stay away from a guy named Chad. Of course, she’ll soon meet Chad (a delightful Percy Hynes White), an intern at her farm, and do her best to push him away. This proves more challenging with every encounter. His charming presence causes her to question her sexuality and dares her to tempt fate. She does heed Plaza’s advice, however, by spending more time with her family, including her mother Kathy (a wonderful Maria Dizzia), and her much more conservative brother Max (a fine, funny turn by Seth Isaac Johnson). So what starts out as a wacky drug-fueled evening in the woods, soon morphs into the story of a young woman discovering her place in the world and what matters the most. I feel all sappy and gooey even writing that sentence, but Park and her cast navigate these slushy waters with immense charm and a surprising depth of emotion. As such, the film reminded me of Best Picture Oscar winner Coda, but with 100% more hallucinogens.
Stella gives a rich, vibrant, star-making performance, filled with exuberant sexuality, intense temperament, and a mature, loving side she’s hesitant to confront. Unapologetically queer, Stella incorporates her emerging feelings into her existing persona by recognizing the spectrum of her sexual identity. A comedic role with such rich, soulful layers feels rare these days, so savoring this one has been one of the great joys of the year. Add Plaza to that sentiment, who really only appears briefly, but shows us something new. Usually so sardonic and deadpan, such as her turn as April Ludgate on Parks And Recreation, Plaza plays things fairly straight here and managed to reduce me to a puddle of tears. Again, not what I expected when I saw her name on the label!
Special mention must go to cinematographer Kristen Correll, also making her feature debut. She shoots the film’s numerous boating scenes with a sweeping panache and gives everything a lovely, late summer glow. Sure, My Old Ass may end up feeling like an elevated Afterschool Special in the long run, somewhat basic and predictable, but if you key into Stella and Plaza’s wonderful work and embrace its conventions, you may find yourself swooning just a little bit.
By Glenn Gaylord, Senior Film Critic
My Old Ass is currently showing in theaters in the US and UK.
