The Triangle covered the advance screening of Amazon MGM Studios’ “My Old Ass” on Wednesday, Sept. 18, at the Regal UA in King of Prussia. Written and directed by Megan Park, the film was produced by Tom Ackerley, Joey McNamara, Stephen Rales and Margot Robbie and distributed by Amazon MGM Studios.
“My Old Ass” presents itself as a classic coming-of-age film, opening with the free-spirited Elliot (Maisy Stella) on her 18th birthday. With her quirky best friends (Kerrice Brooks and Maddie Ziegler), she takes a picturesque boat ride to a remote island, where they plan to take mushrooms. Meanwhile, Elliot ignores calls from her mother, who is at home with her father and two brothers, waiting with a lit birthday cake for Elliot’s arrival at her own birthday dinner. Due to the mushroom trip, Elliot does not go home that night.
Early on, it becomes clear that Elliot has much to learn about balancing friendships, romantic relationships and family life. Instead of growing up through typical mistakes and parental guidance, the perspective that ultimately changes her comes from a surprising source: herself. More specifically, a version of herself.
The film’s unique twist is the introduction of Old Elliot (Aubrey Plaza). While tripping on mushrooms, Elliot encounters her 39-year-old self, who appears on the island. Initially, Elliot is put off by this stranger claiming to be her older self. However, Old Elliot reveals personal details only Elliot would know, and a conversation ensues.
Elliot has many questions for her older self: “Am I in love? Am I married? Do I have kids? Do I love my life?” Old Elliot hesitates to answer, wary of influencing her younger self’s fate. However, she does provide one oddly specific warning: avoid all people named Chad.
After her birthday night, Elliot dismisses the encounter as a hallucination. When she meets Chad while swimming in the lake near her father’s cranberry bog, she remembers Old Elliot’s warning and panics, leaving Chad behind. She checks her phone and discovers a new contact labeled “My Old Ass.” Curious, she calls the number and is shocked when Old Elliot answers, equally surprised by the concept of phone communication across time.
Now in regular contact, Old Elliot urges Elliot to appreciate her life, including her parents, brothers and the family cranberry farm. This leads to touching moments, particularly between Elliot and her brother Max (Seth Isaac Johnson), as they build a deeper sibling bond through a series of trips to a golf course. The film also shows how Elliot’s connection with her mother (Maria Dizzia) develops poignantly, leaving the audience relating to the realities of growing up and exploring the ever-contentious yet beautiful relationship between teenage girls and their mothers.
As Elliot heeds Old Elliot’s advice, she remains puzzled about the warning regarding Chad, especially as she learns that he is working on her father’s farm. Her frustration grows when Old Elliot suddenly becomes unreachable. Upon her return, Old Elliot is upset with Elliot for ignoring her advice. In a heated exchange, she finally reveals a life-altering piece of information that clarifies her earlier seemingly strange requests.
Throughout the film, both versions of Elliot grapple with the uncertainties of their age while trying to understand each other’s perspective. “My Old Ass” makes the viewer question the realities and challenges of growing up, but also makes them appreciate the journey. As Elliot and Old Elliot both learn to balance thoughtful decision-making with occasional leaps of faith, the viewer is asked to question their own experiences. An audience that likely anticipated a light, predictable film will be pleasantly surprised to leave the theater in tears. The film, led by Aubrey Plaza’s strong performance, is an emotionally impactful and refreshing take on the classic coming-of-age film.