Susan Granger’s review of “Are You There God? It’s Me, Margaret” (Lionsgate)
It’s taken 53 years for trailblazing Judy Blume’s beloved, life-changing novel – “Are You There God? It’s Me, Margaret” – to make it to the big screen but writer/director Kelly Fremon Craig’s delightful adaptation is well worth the wait.
Set in 1970, the story revolves around pre-teen Margaret Simon (Abby Ryder Fortson) whose family moves from Manhattan to suburban New Jersey just as she’s navigating that tenuous time between childhood and adolescence.
Sweet, guileless Margaret is quickly befriended by bossy Nancy (Elle Graham), an outspoken neighbor, and her sixth-grade chums who are acutely aware of the coming physical changes in their bodies. They’re obsessed with their budding breasts and the onset of menstruation, along with their growing interest in boys.
Plus, Margaret has become curious about her cultural identity. While her father (Benny Safdie) and adored grandmother (Kathy Bates) are Jewish, her mother (Rachel McAdams) is a lapsed Christian whose devout Midwestern parents (Mia Dillon & Gary Houston) disowned her when she married out of their faith.
As a result, Margaret doesn’t identify with any religion, despite yearning to ‘belong’ somewhere. During her angst-filled struggles with spirituality, she holds her own private conversations with God. Eventually, her confusion results in a crisis, triggering an unexpected, wretchedly uncomfortable family reunion.
Superbly cast and saturated with whimsical warmth and poignant, lighthearted humor, it’s all about the timeless complexity of puberty, a relevant subject that still evokes conjecture as school districts around the country make new attempts at censorship.
Legendary, truth-telling author Judy Blume summed up my reaction, noting: “No one who likes the book will be disappointed. It’s so much more than the book.”
On the Granger Gauge of 1 to 10, “Are You There God? It’s Me, Margaret” is an endearing, empathetic 8, a coming-of-age classic that’s playing in theaters.
