"My Old Ass Friend"
In the summer before heading off to college, Elliott, a bright and irreverent young woman, has a transformative experience during a mushroom trip where she unexpectedly encounters her older self. This surreal meeting sets off a touching and humorous voyage of self-discovery and first love as Elliott prepares to depart from her childhood home.
Writer-director Megan Park skillfully utilizes the high-concept idea of meeting one’s future self to delve into the complexities of young romance and the transition to adulthood in her poignant second feature. "My Old Ass Friend" seamlessly weaves together elements of a sweet teenage love story, a contemporary comedy full of life, and a whimsical take on time-travel narratives.
Maisy Stella and Aubrey Plaza deliver a captivating chemistry, portraying both the youthful vigor and self-assuredness of Elliott in her younger years, depicted by Stella, and Plaza’s mature wit and sarcasm as the older Elliott. The film’s tender portrayal of Elliott’s rural hometown during her final days before embarking on adulthood beautifully mirrors her emotional evolution, evoking nostalgia for moments not yet passed.
