My Old Ass has some fresh takes on time-worn indie movie conventions

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My Old Ass has some fresh takes on time-worn indie movie conventions

As a child of the 90s, I have always felt a deep connection with the coming-of-age stories that defined my youth. However, it wasn’t until I stumbled upon Megan Park’s “My Old Ass” that I truly found a contemporary film that resonated with me as a Gen Zer.

In the 2020s, not many movies centered around teenagers can escape the influence of John Hughes. Most of these films tend to resemble numerous versions of “The Breakfast Club” rather than reflecting the unique experiences of 2024 teenagers as “Ferris Bueller’s Day Off” did for ’80s teens. As Chad Kroeger sang in the “Spider-Man” soundtrack, “And they say that a hero will save us.” For this subgenre, that hero has emerged in the form of writer/director Megan Park. Her directorial debut in 2021, “The Fallout,” fearlessly delved into the diverse psychological reactions teenagers exhibit when faced with surviving a school shooting.

In the creation of her second film titled “My Old Ass,” Park chose to infuse a humorous atmosphere. Yet, she continues to preserve a contemporary and inviting ambiance in her scriptwriting. Once more, Park has successfully produced a teen-focused movie that transcends mere ’80s nostalgia.

In a matter of weeks, 18-year-old Elliott Labrant (portrayed by Maisy Stella) will bid farewell to her life on the cranberry farm in Connecticut and embark on a new journey as a college student in Toronto. As a special birthday treat, Elliott, along with her friends Ro (Kerrice Brooks) and Ruthie (Maddie Ziegler), ventures into the woods for a camping trip, which includes experimenting with mushrooms, a common practice. At first, Elliott feels let down as her drug experience doesn’t seem to be taking effect. However, surprisingly, her older self (depicted by Aubrey Plaza) begins speaking to her during this drug trip, allowing Elliott to converse with herself across different timeframes!

On this pivotal evening, two iterations of Elliott engage in a meaningful discussion about life’s complexities. In this conversation, the older Elliott imparts wisdom upon her younger counterpart. For instance, she advises being kinder to family members and spending more quality time with mom. Additionally, she warns against getting involved with someone named Chad (Percy Hynes White). This interaction, though not as thrilling as Elliott might expect, is not a drug-induced hallucination, as the teen assumes the next day. However, a subsequent phone call from her future self verifies that this encounter was indeed genuine. Now, Elliott finds herself grappling with how to navigate the present moment. Should she trust her instincts or follow the instructions of her older self?

Generally, costume design often garners attention during award shows or film criticism, particularly for period films. Yet, contemporary costume design is just as deserving of praise, a point beautifully illustrated by the film “My Old Ass“. Costume designer Tasha Goldthwait (collaborating again with Park from “The Fallout“) outfits the characters in this summertime comedy in distinct garments that effectively reflect their personalities. For example, Elliott is often seen wearing overalls, loose t-shirts, or sweatshirts emblazoned with humorous, off-color phrases like “jugs”. Her wardrobe immediately conveys “Gen-Z queer” and perfectly encapsulates Elliott’s casual demeanor.

In a different take, Ro sports a necklace with fragments symbolizing diverse lunar stages. Contrastingly, Max, Elliott’s straight, cisgender sibling (Seth Isaac Johnson), favors long trousers and muted-toned shirts. The outfits in “My Old Ass” are captivating, particularly because they fearlessly embody contemporary aesthetics. These teenagers refrain from adorning their bodies with logos or fashion trends linked to the 80s and 90s. Instead, they express unique, modern preferences in both fashion and lifestyle, as evidenced by Elliott’s younger brother Spencer’s (Carter Trozzolo) infatuation with Saoirse Ronan.

Embracing these distinctive qualities sets My Old Ass apart distinctively within contemporary teen films. This approach also prevents Park’s diverse characters from merging into one another. Each of the teens is set apart by their individual fashion choices, as well as Park’s writing style. Remarkably, even secondary characters like Chad or Elliott’s mom possess unique traits that evoke a profound emotional response. The movie’s attention to detail extends to elements such as Elliott performing a Justin Bieber musical number, which serves not only as an enjoyable spectacle due to its polished execution but also reflects the music preferences of a girl born in 2006 accurately. This specificity is truly remarkable! Furthermore, it marks a refreshing deviation from Hollywood’s tendency to portray modern young people with the same musical tastes as those raised in the 80s (as seen in Florence Pugh’s character in A Good Person)).

This approach to distinctive creative elements even extends to the precise variations in young and older Elliott.  Their banter proves incredibly amusing thanks to 39-year-old Elliott’s lived-in wisdom clashing against teenager Elliott’s more surface-level inquiries about the future. This approach means that the My Old Ass script wisely avoids the Adam Project problem of making young and old versions of the same character doppelgangers of one another. Never go full Adam Project. Never ever.

While the relationship between the Elliott’s in “My Old Ass” is remarkably distinct, not all aspects of this movie are equally unforgettable. Specifically, its visual presentation could use some improvement. Although it’s not poorly made, the film does exhibit some regrettable trends in contemporary comedies. The lighting is frequently too bright, the images are excessively sharp, and there’s a tendency to focus on tight close-ups during even casual conversations. It would be more effective if the camera moved further back and allowed multiple characters to share the same frame.

Fortunately, the flaws in “My Old Ass” don’t overshadow its outstanding aspects, such as an exceptional debut performance by Maisy Stella. In her first significant film role, she skillfully shoulders the responsibility of carrying most of the movie. She excels in this area, showing remarkable prowess in comedic timing. Additionally, Stella convincingly portrays Elliott as a complex and often unlikable teenager. At 18, people are typically fragmented individuals living solely for the present moment. Stella’s portrayal captures this accurately and gracefully. The close focus of the story by Park allows us to appreciate these subtle details in Stella’s performance and that of the rest of the cast. By limiting the narrative to lake-side activities in Connecticut, it makes a wise choice.

Stella’s portrayal of Elliott in “My Old Ass” brilliantly showcases the quirks that make this film so imaginatively rich and impactful. It’s a flawlessly executed comedy that handles both poignant and introspective moments skillfully, avoiding the pitfall of becoming overly sentimental. For fans of “The Fallout,” Megan Park’s “My Old Ass” is a fitting continuation of her directorial journey, and it manages to avoid feeling like a mere John Hughes remake – quite refreshing!

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2024-09-10 19:15