What if you could call your younger self? ‘My Old Ass’ bridges two generations, wisely

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As I delve into the captivating narrative of Megan Stella, a young, vibrant, and profoundly insightful individual, I find myself marveling at her journey through life. Her experiences, much like the intricate tapestry that is her character Elliott in “My Old Ass,” are woven with threads of introspection, self-discovery, and raw emotion – threads that resonate deeply with a generation on the cusp of adulthood.

It wasn’t my intention to cause the creators of the coming-of-age comedy “My Old Ass” to shed tears during our coffee meeting in New York one August morning. However, it should be noted that they were the ones who moved me to tears before I did.

Titled “My Old Self,” written and directed by Megan Park, this film premiered at the Sundance Film Festival earlier this year. In it, a teenage girl named Elliott (portrayed by Maisy Stella) plans to depart her rural Canadian hometown for college. However, before she leaves, she goes mushroom tripping with her closest friends in the forest. While under the influence of these mushrooms, she encounters her future self, portrayed by Aubrey Plaza. In a playful twist, this older Elliott is referred to as such. The older Elliott, using her smartphone, leaves her number for the younger version and soon they are conversing across time. As Elliott attempts to follow the advice of her future self, she experiences an intensely emotional moment that left me in tears.

Park remarks, “It seems people might anticipate something different from the title, only to be quite taken aback.” He further notes, “Even elderly men have shared their feelings of being moved, in a positive sense, by this film.” Stella chimes in, sharing that she’s noticed numerous reviews on Letterboxd expressing emotions like, “Me and this 65-year-old man tearing up.

During my chat with Park, 38, and Stella, 20, it’s evident that they have an uncanny similarity, making it seem as if you’re conversing with two different manifestations of the same individual. They both show up in a relaxed yet stylish manner, with Park donning a big vintage t-shirt and Stella sporting a large bomber jacket that matches their twin blonde hairstyles – Park’s hair is loose while Stella keeps hers tied back. Towards the end of our hour-long discussion, when I inquire about what they’ve learned from each other, emotions take over, and tears ensue.

Park expresses, tearfully, how immensely happy Maisy has made them and revitalized their life,” she says. “She’s incredibly affectionate, considerate, and gracious as an artist, always offering help and encouragement.” In response, Stella smiles warmly at her.

Park and Stella have lived remarkably similar lives in the world of entertainment. Both of them hail from Canada; Park is from Lindsay, Ontario, while Stella resides about an hour’s journey away in Oshawa.

Park’s parents discouraged her from engaging heavily in professional acting during her youth, despite the fact that she was surrounded by friends who were regular cast members on “Degrassi.” Post-high school, she delayed attending university, and it was then that she was selected for the ABC Family soap opera “The Secret Life of the American Teenager.” In this role, she portrayed a Christian character attempting to remain abstinent, while Shailene Woodley’s character, the main protagonist, became pregnant prior to her freshman year.

As Woodley climbed up the ladder in Hollywood, Park discovered that although she enjoyed being on movie sets, she didn’t have a deep-seated passion for acting. During the filming of the 2013 romantic comedy “The F Word,” her co-star Zoe Kazan motivated her to write scripts for herself.

In a new role as a director, Park unveiled her first project, the 2021 drama titled “The Fallout.” This film revolves around a teenage character (played by Jenna Ortega) navigating life after a high school shooting. While scouting for talent during the production of this critically praised movie, she crossed paths with Stella, who was on the list of potential cast members.

Park reflects, ‘I was really disappointed because she didn’t get a role.’ However, he thought, ‘We’ll collaborate on another project instead.’

At that point in time, having returned from a hiatus spent completing high school and experiencing her imagined adolescent life with lockers and backpacks, Stella, who had begun her professional acting career at the tender age of 8, was once again stepping into the realm she’d left behind. Prior to this, she was not part of that world while starring on the popular country music TV series “Nashville,” where she played the daughters of a character portrayed by Connie Britton, alongside her sister Lennon. Shortly after joining the show, they garnered internet stardom when their harmonized cover version of Robyn’s “Call Your Girlfriend” became viral.

Reflecting on my childhood as a child star, she remarks, “It was incredibly charming during my developmental years.” She acknowledges, “Fortune favored me greatly. I’m aware not every childhood journey is as pleasant as the one we had.

However, a break from her professional life rekindled Stella’s enthusiasm for her business. In contrast to her sister who found solace in music, Stella developed a deep affection for the art of acting.

Her thoughts took her to Park, where the concept for “My Old Ass” was born during the pandemic while she resided in her old childhood bedroom. As a mother of two, she found herself overwhelmed with emotion as she pondered what advice she’d give her younger self. “It’s such a universal, transient thought,” she mused, “that I wanted to explore that feeling more deeply.

She strove to create a movie with the heartwarming, tear-jerking charm reminiscent of beloved classics such as “Mrs. Doubtfire” and “Stepmom.” However, “My Old Ass” stands apart, and not just because of its title. In this film, Old Ass encourages Elliott to cherish his family before she departs, yet she may not always be the most astute in her counsel herself.

Before writing the movie, Park decided to name it “My Old Self” instead. She chose the name Labrants for Elliott’s family, which was the same name as the gynecologist who delivered her first child. The doctor was reportedly taken aback and possibly offended by the title, according to the director. Park says, “I hope she sees it and understands it.

After Stella submitted her audition video, Park’s suspicions about her were validated. During the entire process, Park shared portions of the script with Stella while she was working on it, seeking her input on how to word certain passages.

Park comments that “[Stella] managed to showcase all her unique traits in front of the camera, and surprisingly, she didn’t portray herself. Instead, she exceeded my expectations by embodying Elliott more convincingly than I had ever imagined.

For Stella, it was an unprecedented occasion in her career where a director entrusted her with the responsibility of directing a movie. “Nobody had ever given me a chance like this since I was a charming 8-year-old,” Stella remarks.

Park additionally ensured that Stella, identifying as pansexual, felt at ease while pondering her sexuality in the context of her profession. “It’s always been a source of stress for me since I was quite young: If I’m attracted to women, will they not trust my feelings when I kiss a man?” she shares.

Stella shares that her sister, parents, and even Park (Tyler Hilton’s wife) have consistently supported her throughout her life. However, it was Park who helped ease Stella during filming in Muskoka, Ontario during a Canadian summer. In the movie, Elliott has long believed herself to be gay but becomes perplexed when she develops feelings for Chad (Percy Hynes White), a boy working on her family’s cranberry farm. The advice from Old Ass to avoid Chad adds to the complexity of her situation.

Park mentioned that she didn’t intend to emphasize Elliott’s preferences excessively, but she was quite fond of the concept of a “reversed coming-out.

In Park’s words, “It was crucial for us that the storyline didn’t portray someone discovering an identity and then declaring, ‘I am straight now.’ Many people who identify as bisexual expressed gratitude when I mentioned this.

The movie playfully explores gender norms, as shown when Elliott, after consuming mushrooms a second time, dreams of herself transforming into Justin Bieber singing “One Less Lonely Girl” to Chad. Park desired a musical sequence, and Stella opted for Bieber’s performance. In Stella’s words, “Megan asked, ‘What’s the iconic performance of this generation that would spark controversy?'” This scene also recalls the excitement of many Gen-Z girls, as during his concerts, Justin Bieber often invited a lucky fan on stage for a special serenade.

As a die-hard film fan, I can’t wrap my mind around the notion that Justin Bieber himself watched my performance. “In my mind,” I often think, “his team saw it, but he never did, and he never will – and that’s alright by me.” This thought brings a certain nervous excitement as I continue to create and share my work with the world.

In instances like these, I become aware of the generational gap between me and Park, despite us both being in our thirties, while Stella often seems surprisingly mature. “Sometimes,” Park tells Stella, “I find myself conversing with someone my age, only to be suddenly brought back to my senses.

Making “My Old Ass,” however, made Stella recognize her own youth.

She explains, “When I went through the script, it felt like I was among you two, the Wisemen, she says, referring to us as such. I thought to myself, ‘I’ve already had these profound realizations, like appreciating my family more. I’m all set. I’ve got this under control.’ But little did I know, I wasn’t actually in control at that moment.

For the past two years after wrapping up the film, Stella claims that she’s been taking an active approach in applying the heartfelt messages it delivered about accepting life’s complexities and imperfections.

She mentions that many viewers seem to share this sentiment, which she finds particularly delightful about its creation process. Despite its lighthearted nature as a comedy, it carries a certain weight for her.

And that’s why it’s liable to make audiences cry — no matter how old they are.

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2024-09-12 13:33