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Are You There God? It’s Me Margaret. Movie Review

Are You There God? It’s Me Margaret. is a wonderful coming of age story that is both relatable and entertaining, as well as laugh out loud funny.

Are You There God? It's Me Margaret movie review

Pretty much everyone has heard of the Judy Blume book Are You There God? It’s Me Margaret. Now that book is coming to the big screen in a film starring Abby Ryder Fortson as Margaret and Rachel McAdams as her mother, Barbara. This is a beautiful coming of age story that is told in a way that is both emotional and hilarious. 

In this story, Margaret moves at the worst possible time of her life. She is just about to enter sixth grade when her father gets a promotion. This means her mother will be able to stay home and have more time with her. But it also means the family must move from New York City to New Jersey. Not only is Margaret at that age, where the daunting reality of puberty is hanging over her head, she is tasked with doing a research paper on religion, something she doesn’t know much about.

Her father is Jewish and her mother is Christian and the two of them have never placed any pressure on her about deciding where she falls on the religious spectrum. In fact, they told her to make the decision when she is grown up. So now, between making new friends and being anxious about puberty, Margaret must explore all that religion has to offer. She finds herself talking to God, or at least something, as she still isn’t even sure she believes in Him.

Are You There God? It's Me Margaret movie review

As a tween girl, it was easy to relate to Margaret while reading the book. Now, as a mother of two girls, I relate to Barbara with my whole being. That is the beauty of this film. It is done in a way that viewers of all ages and gender can find something to relate to while watching. 

For younger kids, they will be able to see themselves in Margaret and her friends as they do exercises hoping to increase their bust size, talk about the boys they like, and wonder what it will feel like when they get their periods. Everyone knows what it is like to attend their first boy-girl party and get anxious as games like spin the bottle and seven minutes in heaven are played. 

Parents will be able to understand exactly what Barbara is going through as she over exerts herself and joins all the school committees in an effort to be a part of her daughters life. They will also completely get how that gets far too demanding almost instantly. Since I have two daughters, I have been bra shopping with my girls and had the period and anatomy talks, so these moments were all too familiar.  

Are You There God? It's Me Margaret movie review

But the best part about this movie is that it doesn’t just touch on these life lessons while diving into puberty and religion, it does so in a way that is laugh out loud funny. Sure, there are cringey moments, but they are done completely on purpose. Your brain will immediately go back to a time in your life when you went through the same thing causing you to crack up.

Are You There God? It’s Me Margaret is an absolute blast from start to finish. It is apparent that every single actor involved was excited to be a part of it. They put their heart and souls into the roles. The chemistry is off the charts as they really do feel like a family. 

Oh, and Judy Blume makes an appearance, which is absolutely everything. It shows how invested she was in her story coming to the screen in a way that shows it love, which it totally does.

Are You There God? It's Me Margaret movie review

Overall Thoughts

Are You There God? It’s Me Margaret is so very clearly made by people who love the book. This is a wonderful adaptation that takes the core of the book, but isn’t afraid to put its own spin on things as well. The result is a movie that perfectly compliments the book. The cast is extremely well chosen, and gives this film their all, making it a must watch.

It’s funny, relatable, and entertaining. Viewers of all ages and gender will be able to find something to relate to here, although it is very much geared towards tween girls. This is the perfect film to go to on a mother/daughter date, even though the whole family can enjoy it. 

Are You There God? It’s Me Margaret is going to be a great conversation starter for kids and their parents. 

Rating: 4.5 out of 5

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Are You There God? It's Me Margaret movie poster

About Are You There God? It’s Me Margaret.

For over fifty years, Judy Blume’s classic and groundbreaking novel Are You There God? It’s Me, Margaret. has impacted generations with its timeless coming of age story, insightful humor, and candid exploration of life’s biggest questions.

In Lionsgate’s big-screen adaptation, 11-year-old Margaret (Abby Ryder Fortson) is uprooted from her life in New York City for the suburbs of New Jersey, going through the messy and tumultuous throes of puberty with new friends in a new school. She relies on her mother, Barbara (Rachel McAdams), who is also struggling to adjust to life outside the big city, and her adoring grandmother, Sylvia (Kathy Bates), who isn’t happy they moved away and likes to remind them every chance she gets.

The film also stars Benny Safdie (Licorice Pizza, Good Time) and is written for the screen and directed by Kelly Fremon Craig (The Edge of Seventeen), based on the book by Judy Blume, and produced by Gracie Films’ Academy Award® winner James L. Brooks (Best Picture, 1983 – Terms of Endearment), alongside Julie Ansell, Richard Sakai, Kelly Fremon Craig, Judy Blume, Amy Lorraine Brooks, Aldric La’auli Porter, and executive produced by Jonathan McCoy.

Are You There God? It’s Me Margaret. hits theaters April 28th.