After the November 5 thumping, writer/director megan park‘s new movie, my old assa popular comfort food.
Elliot (Messi Stella) is getting ready to leave her small Canadian town to go to college, spending time with her friends, hooking up with the local barista, and neglecting her family. You know, the typical thing a self-absorbed teenager would do.
One night, she and her friends decided to celebrate her 18th birthday by camping out at a nearby lake. There’s a bonfire, there’s wine, and it’s all fun…until the mushrooms appear and madness ensues. In the process of stumbling, she met her 39-year-old self (Aubrey Plaza). After the initial shock wore off, she questioned her about her future life, but Elliot Sr. gave up nothing. Well…except for one thing: Stay away from Chad. “Who is Chad?” she thought. She had no idea who Chad was, and before she could ask any more questions, old Elliott disappeared.
And wouldn’t you know it, she met Chad (an award winner) Percy Hines White)the next day.
To say any more would give the story away, but the rest of the film is charming, funny, sweet…and sad, but in the best way.
Over the course of the film, young Elliot grows from a selfish teenager into a mature young woman, and Stella does just that. Early on, the older Elliot tells her to stop being so selfish and focus more on her family, which she reluctantly does. In fact, she was trying so hard to connect with her brother that he popped the question to her one morning while they were playing golf together. The change in her expression and attitude when she realizes what a jerk she is to him is perfect.
As the older Elliot, Praza looks nothing like the younger Stella, but that doesn’t bother me at all. I quickly forgot about it after they first met because they had such great chemistry together. As usual, the square always delivers a killer deal.
This is one of those movies that I can see myself watching again on a rainy, gloomy Sunday and feeling so happy in that moment.
