My Old Ass Review: Thoughtful and Hilariously Heartfelt

I’m a crier. A good film always gets to me—a specific line, a particularly harrowing performance, something happy, something sad, there’s really nothing off limits to my tear ducts reacting. But I rarely hiccup cry and try my hardest to hold in my sobs as a courtesy to everyone else sitting in the theater. Megan Park’s My Old Ass falls into the latter category, in which I’m now writing through my tears and still crying.

My Old Ass is impeccable—a worthwhile, thoughtfully crafted coming-of-age film with compelling performances from beginning to end. From the writing to the nostalgic lens in directing, it’s a film that forces viewers to look back and stay present simultaneously. This is a film worth watching because these types of lessons, though they aren’t unique to anyone who’s old enough to have seen countless films, are still significant to remember. 

My Old Ass isn’t trying to be revolutionary, yet in its simple means of marrying heart and humor through the lens of an eighteen-year-old teenager bursting to “start her life,” it effortlessly poses the idea of what it means to live in the moment. It asks us to question how we’d proceed if we were warned about how quickly time passes when we’re older. There’s a reason everyone and their mothers look back; it’s a generational thing that we’ll consistently pass down because no matter how much our parents say to enjoy the moments when we’re kids, we don’t realize the depth of what they’re saying until we’re old enough to have nostalgia kick in. My Old Ass encompasses this with the intricate lens of looking at ourselves in the process. It’s that old meme of “If your younger self met you, would they be proud?” In this case, yes, yes, they would. 

A lot is riding on the plot within the film, which intricately holds a little mystery that’s hard to predict. Choices are made when naming someone Chad because some of us will immediately get an ick, yet where the story goes is a testament to Park’s intriguing means of storytelling. Pair the words on the page with gifted actresses like Aubrey Plaza and Maisy Stella, and we have something that hits like a ton of bricks. With this, the performances deserve ample praise, especially Stella’s, who’s grown so much since her Nashville days, proving herself to be an actress worth paying attention to. 

Through Stella’s performances, Elliott feels like a character people will remember. The story feels like something viewers will stumble upon someday, maybe when they need it most, and after they’ve dried all their tears, they’ll keep it with them. They’ll hold on to the nostalgia of the moment as opposed to from the past, and they’ll change something about the present, no matter how small. It’s a story about mothers and daughters, steady friendships, brothers and sisters, love in all its beautifully unexpected forms, grief, and aging. It’s about understanding oneself and the people who are always there.

Park’s directorial vision especially speaks to those of us in our thirties with colors that feel both a little sad and warm at the same time. The setting feels lived-in, the cuts flow organically, and beats of profound longing are present in every frame. There’s a tenderness in the film that’s reflected so acutely from beginning to end that it makes your heart squeeze every time something happens. It makes you feel safe and seen, making the film that much more special as a result.

My Old Ass is now playing in theaters.
First Featured Image | Official Poster Credit: ©Amazon MGM Studios, Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer