My Old Ass – Movie Reviews by Ry!

My Old Ass – From Moments Gone By: A Tale of Reflection

Life is a journey full of many moments.  On this path, we experience lessons that mold us into the person of true individual worth.  The story of life provides an endearing touch, one that translates in any medium … especially film.  In this review, I look at the latest coming-of-age film.  Through a simple concept with a twist, My Old Ass is a riveting tale that showcases the importance of family, love and life.

When an odd encounter turns her life upside down, Elliot (Maisy Stella) must figure out what is truly important in life.  Going into a film of this nature, it becomes prudent for the filmmakers to find a middle ground between monotony and storytelling.  To focus on adolescence or growth, it is a platform that can be truly touching or a stroke of melodrama.  Coming-of-age tales are ones that truly grip my heart (being one of my favorite genres), but I do recognize the difference between authenticity and clichés.  With this film, it plays along the commonalities of those teenage years but adds a twist to the obvious discourse.  In the beginning, we are introduced to Elliot, who is enjoying one last summer at home (with friends and family) before heading to Toronto for college.  Through a sequence of general banter and teenage angst, Elliot (and friends) take a mushroom trip that throws a wrench into her plans: she unexpectedly encounters an older version of herself (played by Aubrey Plaza).  From this specific moment, it leads young Elliot down a path where every decision (up to this point) becomes a reflection of unknown desires.  Her conversation (with the older Elliot) builds up a complexion of wholesome and quirky moments that weaves through the unique elements of ‘time travel’ while also being grounded to its characters.  Each interaction she has with friends and family (after learning about the future), becomes an introspective of relationships and personal blinds.  Each conversation becomes a raw grip for the audience, an authenticity that lifts the coming-of-age motif through creativity and natural scenes.  It is that mirror upon life’s journey, a relative touch that pushes the monotony (of everyday) into a thematic reverie about family, friendship and love.

As Elliot begins to reflect on her future self’s warnings, it turns into an opportunity to reexamine her life and purpose.  For all that she ‘hopes’ to find (down the road), the memories of today become more fruitful.  The ramification of ‘knowing’ adds another layer to the general motifs (of the genre), but this speeds up the pace, allowing the gimmick to untether subplots that never completely flesh out.  Even with subtle pointers, the unpredictability continues to lift the emotional value of the journey.  As these situations start to have an everlasting impact, we head into a third act of reflection that builds towards a wholesome climax and epilogue.  My Old Ass is a coming-of-age tale that spins within its unique twist.  If you are a fan of this genre or like stories about life, this is one for you.  I think there is still enough here to see it on the big screen.  

Full Score – 3.5 out of 5 (Matinee)