Are You There God? It’s Me, Margaret.
Starring: Abby Ryder Fortson, Rachel McAdams, Kathy Bates, Benny Safdie
Directed By: Kelly Fremon Craig
Rated: PG-13
Please excuse my hiatus, I saw Ant-Man and the Wasp: Quantumania in the theater and it was so awful that I began to have an existential crisis about writing reviews. I wondered why I even write reviews at all. As the villain shaped like a giant forehead appeared on screen I thought to myself, “Why do I write about movies? Why are movies important to me? What’s the point of it all?”
Then I went home and thought about how a 2-hour movie could somehow feel like a lifetime. Then, I saw the Barbie trailer and remembered that movies can be fun!
Anyways, I’ve moved on. It’s a new day and it’s time to talk about Are You There God? It’s Me, Margaret.
Director/screenwriter Kelly Fremon Craig needs more attention for her excellent work with coming-of-age films. She made one of my favorites, The Edge of Seventeen that was released just a few years ago. When I heard she was back at the female coming-of-age genre adapting Judy Blume’s beloved novel, I knew I had to check it out! It didn’t disappoint!
The film follows Margaret Crane, an 11 year-old girl moving out of her beloved New York City for the dreaded New Jersey with her parents. As Margaret’s family makes the move, she is met with a series of overwhelming changes including a new house, new school, and new friends. It’s almost too much to keep up with. This leads her to ask God a series of questions, big and small, beginning with, “Are you there, God? It’s Me, Margaret.”
This is a lovely coming-of-age film that handles issues that all girls can relate to in some way. It has a wonderful balance of humor, drama, and heart. Margaret faces issues with realism and relatability. From the awkwardness of making new friends to the difficulty of interacting with a crush, each scene is handled with care. The role of family is dominant throughout the film. While the primary focus is on Margaret, the film looks at the intergenerational dynamic between her mother, Barbara (Rachel McAdams) and grandmother, Sylvia (Kathy Bates). It’s fascinating the see the 3 women at different life stages help each other through different trials.
Each member of the cast plays their roles perfectly. Abby Ryder Fortson is a breakout in the role of Margaret. She plays the role with honesty and makes us feel for Margaret as she navigates the ins and outs of adolescence. Her childhood is slowly fading away and she grapples with big questions like about religion, family dynamics, and boys. Ugh, life was so much easier for Margaret before she moved to New Jersey. Fortson captures the awkwardness of adolescence perfectly in her portrayal of Margaret. She acts with humor and heart. I think we’ll see her in a lot after this.
Rachel McAdams is wonderful as Barbara, Margaret’s artistic mother. McAdams brings warmth to every scene, conveying a safe place that Margaret can turn when times are tough. She is Margaret’s biggest cheerleader every step of the way.
There is an excellent supporting cast including Kathy Bates as Sylvia, the loving Jewish grandmother with a flair for the drama. Sylvia and Margaret have a close bond that is heartwarming to watch. Benny Safdie is great as Margaret’s father, Herb. Elle Graham (Nancy) Amari Alexis (Janie) and Katherine Kupferer (Gretchen) are a joy as Margaret’s friends. Each one has a distinct personality that is quite funny and dynamic in their own way.
Are You There God, It’s Me, Margaret? is a lovely coming-of-age film that women of all ages can relate to. It is filled with humor, heart, and lovely performances.
My Rating: 8/10