(Dana Hawley / Lionsgate Films)
There are some classic novels that seem like they might never be adapted to screen. John Kennedy Toole’s A Confederacy of Dunces (1980) has been in and out of development hell for over three decades. JD Salinger’s Catcher in the Rye (1951) is probably never going to be adapted because of the lead’s dislike of cinema. One novel that took over 50 years to appear on the big screen is Judy Blume’s 1970 children’s lit classic Are You There, God? It’s Me, Margaret. The main reason we’re just now getting a screen version is because Blume is apparently really picky with this particular book of hers [possibly because it was her breakthrough as an author]. But the combination of writer-director Kelly Fremon Craig and producer James L. Brooks was enough for her to have a change of heart, and movie fans can now be thankful for that. Are You There, God not only lives up to expectations from Blume and book fans, but is also one of the better coming of age features recently.
Our protagonist is 11-year-old 6th grader Margaret Simon (Abby Ryder Fortson), who has a typical childhood of elementary school and summer camp on the east coast in 1970. Her parents, non-practicing Christian Barbara (Rachel McAdams) and secularly Jewish Herb (Benny Safdie), decide to move from New York City to the New Jersey suburbs for Herb’s upgraded job offer. Things move pretty fast as Margaret’s adolescence suddenly approaches puberty. New friends, new feelings, new questions and new scenery all for her final year before Junior High. Kathy Bates plays Margaret’s beloved grandmother Sylvia and Echo Callum appears as Margaret’s hip schoolteacher Mr. Benedict.
(Dana Hawley / Lionsgate Films)
Though we get the usual themes with adolescent set movies—such as first crushes, first menstrual periods and bras, awkward friendships and classmate rivalries—what makes It’s Me, Margaret stand out from other tales in its genre is the interfaith setting. Margaret’s parents don’t raise her with either Christianity or Judaism, feeling she should have the freedom to choose her personal beliefs ‘when she’s older.’ Little do they expect their young daughter to actually become curious about religion on her own, and set out to see which culture she identifies with the most. These scenes where Margaret learns her different faith options are the strongest in the film; as are the narration sequences where she speaks to God like an imaginary friend with awkward phrasing and pausing, since she hasn’t been properly explained how prayer works. [The title is her intro every time she starts an inner dialogue with God.]
As a whole, Are You There, God? It’s Me, Margaret is an appropriate companion piece alongside similar recent mid-20th century retro releases like James Gray’s Armageddon Time (2022) and Steven Spielberg’s The Fabelmans (2022), but for the young girl’s perspective instead of the boy’s. Fortson delivers a strong performance in her first starring role, and the supporting cast are charming as well. McAdams is her usual lovely self as the carefree artsy/hippie mother and Safdie is inspired casting as the nebbish and nerdy father. Craig seems to be carving out a nice little niche coining teen girl dramedies between Are You There, God and her own penned The Edge of Seventeen (2016), and could probably share the same demo as John Hughes and Sofia Coppola.
My two little quips are that I felt the token, iconic soft rock/easy listening OST didn’t feel like it transitioned naturally during some moments and I was a little disappointed Craig opted for the updated version of the scene where Margaret and a friend buy menstrual products. We see them grab the more modern adhesive strips instead of the outdated ‘belt’ that was featured in the first edition of Blume’s novel [aka, the only reason most young women today even know that contraption existed]. But beyond that, Are You There, God? It’s Me, Margaret is a nice little time for kids, parents and grandparents of all generations.
I’d like to see that.
This one’s on my list to watch. I read a review in the Wall Street Journal and they recommended it.