My Old Ass is a comedy starring Aubrey Plaza as a woman who travels back in time to convince her teenage self not to make some life-altering mistakes. At least... that's the movie I was expecting.
In reality, the movie is actually rather wistful and bittersweet. Aubrey Plaza isn't actually in it very much. And it's not remotely as science fiction as the premise suggests. Really, My Old Ass is a rom-com / coming-of-age hybrid, with a few unusual trappings to distinguish it from the wide number of movies in those two categories.
Once you accept that this isn't going to be a "laugh out loud" kind of movie (you get maybe one or two such moments), you become open to the notion that this might be a movie with something to say. "Will they / won't they" dominates the story, but the final act actually swings in with a deeper message about what you might really tell your younger self if you somehow had the chance.
The movie is written and directed by the up-and-coming Megan Park. This is only her second movie wearing both hats, but I get the feeling that we'll see more from her. Of course, this is movie-making at a level where every dollar of a modest budget has to wind up on screen, so there really aren't any big names in the cast. They spent the money to get Aubrey Plaza. Other than that? You might recognize the star Maisy Stella from the TV series Nashville, or her love interest Percy Hynes White from Wednesday. Still, the movie demonstrates that a rom-com doesn't have to be about two A-list stars you want to see together; it can be carried by believable chemistry between two actors with good dialogue.
I'd give My Old Ass a B. It's a brisk 90-minute watch, though perhaps better enjoyed when you're prepared for some of its more bittersweet elements. If it sounds interesting to you, you should check it out.
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