ARE YOU THERE GOD? ITS ME, MARGARET | ©2023 Lionsgate

Rating: PG-13
Stars: Abby Ryder Fortson, Rachel McAdams, Kathy Bates, Benny Safdie, Elle Graham, Amari Price, Katherine Mallen Kupferer, Kate MacCluggage, Aidan Wojtak-Hissong, Landon Baxter, Echo Kellum, Simms May, Zack Brooks, Isol Young
Writer: Kelly Fremon Craig, based on the novel by Judy Blume
Director: Kelly Fremon Craig
Distributor: Lionsgate
Release Date: April 28, 2023

Judy Blume’s middle-grade novel ARE YOU THERE GOD? IT’S ME, MARGARET was originally published in 1970, and has since sold in the millions. It has now been brought to the screen by writer/director Kelly Fremon Craig. The adaptation is warm and agreeable, and admirably demonstrates that many of Blume’s themes remain timely over fifty years after the book’s release.

The film ARE YOU THERE GOD? IT’S ME, MARGARET begins in 1970. Eleven-year-old Margaret Simon (Abby Ryder Fortson) is happy living in New York City with her parents, Barbara (Rachel McAdams) and Herb (Benny Safdie), nearby to beloved Grandma Sylvia (Kathy Bates).

Margaret is horrified when her parents inform her that Herb has received a promotion, which means the family will be moving to New Jersey. Once the shock of moving has passed somewhat, Margaret makes some new friends at school, led by bossy classmate Nancy Wheeler (Elle Graham). Margaret is subject to peer pressure on everything from buying a bra to which boys to like, not to mention gossip about uncommonly tall and well-developed sixth-grader Laura (Isol Young).

Margaret is also trying to figure out how to get closer to God. Christian mom Barbara and Jewish dad Herb have told Margaret that she can choose which religion to follow when she’s an adult, but she wants to learn about different faiths now.

All of this is handled with gentle good humor and empathy. Filmmaker Craig has mastered the crucial skill of filling normal childhood issues with the urgency felt by the children experiencing them. We may laugh when Margaret longs to experience menstruation (yes, this is a topic covered in ARE YOU THERE GOD?). But everyone, regardless of gender or age, can identify with concerns that one’s body isn’t doing the right thing at the right time.

As for family tensions, these are also captured in a way that is specific to Margaret, yet feel universally relatable. The issues of religion and bullying unfortunately seem much more ominous now than they were when ARE YOU THERE GOD? was written, although they play out here in ways that shouldn’t unduly alarm youngsters.

Fortson is easily likable, with good comic timing and emotional sincerity. Adams navigates Barbara’s maternal love and personal self-doubt affectingly. Bates, in what is by far the film’s splashiest role, delivers an on-target portrayal of a forceful, colorful woman of her day.

Other notable performances are delivered by Graham as the outwardly commanding, inwardly anxious Nancy, by Young as the vulnerable Laura, and by Echo Kellum as a thoughtful teacher in his first year on the job.

ARE YOU THERE GOD? IT’S ME, MARGARET has good messages for young people about weathering life’s early crises. It’s also enjoyable and smart enough to be watchable for grownups who still don’t feel too old for this sort of thing, provided it’s done right.

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Article: Movie Review:  ARE YOU THERE GOD? IT’S ME,  MARGARET

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