Ashby

Ashby is a coming-of-age, dark comedy-drama film first released in 2015. The impressive cast includes Mickey Rourke, Nat Wolff, and Emma Roberts. Written and directed by Tony McNamara, the film masterfully juxtaposes an adolescent’s journey of self-discovery with the life of a dying hitman – two very different paths that reflect on morality, mortality, and maturing.

At the center of the film is Ed Wallis (portrayed by Nat Wolff), a teenager grappling with the pangs of teenage life. He is a high school outsider, having recently moved to a new city with his single mother June, played by Sarah Silverman. Ed's character is a contrasting mix of a classic jock and a sensitive intellectual, a star football player who loves literature and wrestles with John F. Kennedy's ideas about the definition of courage.

The narrative takes an interesting turn when Ed befriends his next-door neighbor, Ashby Holt (played by Mickey Rourke). On paper, Ashby Holt seems to be just an eccentric old man living out his golden years in solitude. However, the audience soon discovers Ashby's secret past as a CIA assassin, with a complex moral compass and stacks of guilt and regret for the lives he's taken. Ashby creates an engaging facade, juxtaposing his forgetful, elderly neighbor side with his lethal professional alter ego. In grappling with his own mortality, Ashby aims to reconcile with his past and make peace with his choices.

Emma Roberts shines as Eloise, Ed's able and partly eccentric schoolmate. She embodies an intelligent, quirky, and serene personality, an aspiring researcher studying the effect of football on brain trauma. Eloise has an unusual ability with her MRI investigator – she can "see" what people's emotions look like, something that adds a philosophical and poignant touch to the film's narrative.

Ed and Ashby's relationship is at the heart of this film. As Ed starts an assignment to interview an old person about their life, he uses it as an opportunity to find kinship with Ashby. Balancing dark comedy and drama, the film brings the pair together through several twists and turns, as Ed turns to Ashby for both valuable life lessons and unusual driving lessons. The deeply contrasting characters create an unexpected bond around the topics of death, life's purpose, and personal reconciliation.

The director does not shy away from the gruesome reality of Ashby's past. It delves into the moral intricacies of Ashby's job, his steadfast belief in justice, and his struggle to reconcile his past actions. But the movie is not only about Ashby; his unique friendship with Ed serves as a catalyst for Ed's prying into his own purpose, moral standing, and manhood.

Woven through the narrative is a sense of mystery, camaraderie, absurdity, and poignant reflection on life and death balanced with offbeat humor. It makes a statement about the unpredictability of life and how we're all a little messed up in our own ways.

Romance is delicately introduced in the script as Ed and Eloise's relationship develops. The love story is light and sweet, serving as a backdrop to the main narrative rather than overpowering it. The supporting characters, like Ed’s mother June and her flirtation with Ed’s English teacher, Mr. Donchery, played by Kevin Dunn, also play a significant role in lightening the story.

The performances delivered by the starring trio are commendable. Mickey Rourke provides an endearing yesteryear charm while effectively capturing Ashby's bittersweet complexity. Nat Wolff excellently portrays the teenager’s struggle and his journey of growth, and Emma Roberts brings a delightful depth to her character.

Ashby may be a slightly eccentric blend of drama and dark comedy, but it is profoundly human and thought-provoking. It endeavours to explore fundamental human issues: regret, love, friendship, the essence of right and wrong, and the struggle to understand life, making it a must-watch addition to the coming-of-age genre of film.