Canadians! It’s a Trap!
My Old Ass (2024): 8 out of 10: A very modern Canadian gay girl (Maisy Stella) joins two girlfriends on a deserted island to take shrooms for her 18th birthday. During her shroom trip she meets her future self (Aubrey Plaza) who gives her a dire warning for her future. Stay away from guys named Chad.
The Good
The Good: There are a couple really good twists to My Old Ass. The basic plot is that old chestnut of your older self going to talk to your younger self. (Think Disney’s The Kid.) The first twist is that it takes place in the modern day, so your older self lives in a mysterious dystopian world with bomb shelters and no salmon. This simply change to an old formula really puts the movie up a notch.
Maisy Stella, who I had never seen before, is excellent in this film. The movie really puts her through her paces and she hits the landing every time. Honestly, she (and her character) gets better as the movie goes along. Also, a shout out to Percy Hynes White with the tough role as serial killer/mechanic Chad. He grounds the film and makes it quite believable.
The Bad
The Bad: You know sometimes a movie can be too picturesque. A setting to idyllic. Cranberry farmers must get a chuckle out of “My Old Ass” which apparently has a cranberry farm whose staff comprises one guy home for summer instead of the dozens of workers that would actually be involved.
People who are allergic to performative wokeness should probably medicate before watching. Though more reasonable viewers might notice, the film actually undercuts those messages as it goes along. It seems to check all the boxes the first five minutes (Which honestly can seem a touch heavy handed) and then figuring no one is still looking does what it wants.
The Ugly
The Ugly: My Old Ass is a terrible name for a movie. Also, why in god’s name is this film rated “R”? I mean, it may barely qualify for an “R” rated film, but in reality, this is a coming of age drama with virtually no objectionable material. Perfect for teens.
Anyone seeing what appears to be an “R” rated Aubrey Plaza comedy and then getting a very good Hallmark tearjerker may be in for some disappointment.
In Conclusion
In Conclusion: I cried like a baby to Disney’s The Kid. I mean wailing, uncontrollable sobbing. My mother died from cancer when I was nine in 1977. If you have seen The Kid you will understand why that movie hit me right in the feels. My Old Ass pulls the same twist with a very different subject. I will not spoil the film but it hits me right in the feels again. Didn’t sob like before, but it is a tearjerker.
Give the movie a chance. I know that title is awful and the first nine minutes or so feels like watching a film from HR. But once the shroom trip starts, everything gets a lot better. Just like real life.
