My Old Ass – A Delightful Throwback Dramedy

This will be one of many reviews during this year’s Toronto International Film Festival, to keep up with our latest coverage, click here.

Premiering at this year’s Sundance Film Festival, My Old Ass is a simple yet effective dramedy with a plot feels that like a throwback but with a premise that approaches those familiar themes in a unique way. Running at less than 90-minutes, the film is a coming-of-age story offers up an escape that does not wear out its welcome. A perfect summer (or early fall) movie, the Muskoka region of Southern Ontario, Canada, is absolutely breathtaking and another character in the story. While it comes and goes in a flash, the main takeaway will be a spectacular lead performance from Maisy Stella, in her feature film debut, and the always dependable Aubrey Plaza whose chemistry with Stella make for one of the most endearing, and surprisingly emotional, films of the year so far. The story follows 18-year-old Elliott (Stella) as her life is turned upside down after a bad mushroom trip led to her coming face-to-face with her 39-year-old self (Plaza), or ‘My Old Ass,’ as Elliott would call her. As her older self started to warn her about things she should or shouldn’t do, the younger Elliott began to reevaluate her own life moving forward.

Ultimately, the story was about not taking life for granted, as the older Elliott pushed her younger self to embrace her family and the other people in her life. Ready to move on from her small town and the cranberry farm that has been part of her family for generations, after spending more time with them, that sentiment began to change as she reconnected with her mother Kathy (Maria Dizzia) and her two brothers, older brother Max (Seth Isaac Johnson) and younger brother Spencer (Carter Trozzolo). Becoming more invested, Elliott cared about the income of them and their family farm as it was set to go up for sale. Meanwhile, in spite of another warning by her older self about a man named Chad, it didn’t take long for her to run into him (White). Trying her best to avoid him, she and Chad were inevitable. There was just something about him that drew Elliott to him as the two quickly developed feelings for one another, whether she wanted to admit it or not.

Not trying to make its premise into something more, the many interactions between both Elliotts were definitely the best part of the film. Because Stella and Plaza are so good together, the temptation to keep tapping into that dynamic is understandable, however, the film does so just the right amount in order to keep the story focused on the younger Elliott. Perhaps the suspension of belief is needed for it to work but the story hits the right emotional notes to the point that it is easy to look past. The writing is there, finding the right balance between humor and drama. As funny as it is, it is also emotional as the film thrives within its little moments and the relationships between the characters. Elliott’s character arc over the course of the film is a highlight because of Stella, who shows that she is a star and a compelling anchor. Bringing much of the kind of energy she is known for, Plaza is an absolute delight. Their chemistry is what makes My Old Ass work as strongly as it did.

In the end, My Old Ass is an absolutely delightful dramedy throwback exploring familiar themes in a unique way through the powerful dynamic of Maisy Stella and Aubrey Plaza.

 still courtesy of Warner Bros. Pictures

If you liked this, please read our other reviews here and don’t forget to follow us on Twitter or Instagram or like us on Facebook.

Keith Noakes

The EIC of the coincidentally-named keithlovesmovies.com. A Canadian who prefers to get out of the cold and into the warmth of a movie theatre.