My Old Ass: Sometimes Will “Crack” You Up!

Writer/Director Megan Park ("The Fallout" - 2021) has written an intelligent & funny screenplay.  She also helped Maisy Stella give a wonderful performance.  The supporting cast also does a fine job. Elliott (Stella) is 18.  She lives in a very small town in Canada with her parents and two younger brothers.  She is one week away from heading off to the University of Toronto, filled with hopes and dreams.  Her parents own a cranberry farm, and she can't wait to leave her circumscribed life. Elliott & her two close female friends decide to celebrate the end of the high school era and starting the next chapter of their lives by camping out for a night and taking some psilocybin.  On the trip, Elliott somehow conjures up her 39-year-old self (Aubrey Plaza).  Understandably, Elliott asks her a torrent of questions.  The older self answers a few, but doesn't want to spoil the adventure and surprises Elliott will have on her journey.  However, she does give Elliott one piece of advice: to avoid any guy named Chad. Soon after the trip, Elliott meets Chad.  The film then focuses on Elliott’s last week, primarily the shift in the family dynamics and her increasing involvement with Chad.  The movie is funny, touching, has considerable depth, and has an uplifting message.  The film also made me & Noah misty. Maisy Stella gives an outstanding performance, and I think she will become a big star.  Aubrey Plaza is excellent (as usual), but she only has about 30 minutes of screen time. The film will be in my Top 20 for the year and may even sneak into my Top 10!  It will work fine on the TV, but it's probably the best film out now, so you may want to take your "old ass" and walk to the theater!