Are You There God? It’s Me, Margaret.
In 1970 , Judy Blume ’s novelAre You There God ? It ’s Me , Margarettook the humans by storm and would impact generations to come . It ’s a timeless come - of - age level that learn an 11 - yr - old girl adjust to a new life in the suburban area while go bad through pubescence . Throughout the class , many television show , authors , and flick would reference Blume ’s Hellenic novel . As such , it ’s hard to believe that the first picture adaptation would come 53 years later ( mostly due to reject offers ) considering its noticeable encroachment on popular culture . But with so much dubiousness and turmoil surrounding sex education for the youth and religious exemption , now seems like the staring prison term .
Kelly Fremon Craig , writer and director of the 2016 hitThe Edge of Seventeen , turn back to the coming - of - eld musical genre to adapt Blume ’s groundbreaking novel . The fib follows Margaret ( Abby Ryder Fortson ) as she ’s all of a sudden uprooted from life in NYC to the suburbs of New Jersey , all while having to adjust to the havoc of pubescence . With the uncompromising support of her artistic motherBarbara ( Rachel McAdams ) , her loving grandmother Sylvia ( Kathy Bates ) , and implicated Padre Herb ( Benny Safdie ) , Margaret adjusts to lifetime by bank on their firm love .
Are You There God?is the character of Hellenic story that fans have been patiently waiting for over the yr . With Kelly Fremon Craig as theater director and screenwriter , it has certainly been deserving the wait . With this sensational mold and bid direction , Craig ’s follow - up to her debut is damn - near flawless . Specifically , she make for the magic trick of the novel by incorporating those braggy spirit moments and present them in a means that many can relate to , while causing others to reflect on one ’s own experience . While some coming - of - age films palpate contrived and excessive , Craig ’s instincts to break down girlhood and faith are earnest , which audiences will have no job gravitating towards .
One of the best part of this feature film is the genuineness embedded under its natural charm and humor . Girlhood is often terrifying , especially during its various phases like crush , puberty , and infer religion . Craig understand this well , as is emphasized through her direction and writing . There ’s also a sense of slowness that comes with these concepts , but the conductor delivers them to her consultation without sagacity and with the added bonus of humor . It ’s implausibly effective , no matter who the viewer is , and it makes the watching experience that much more pleasurable .
Are You There God?It ’s Me , Margaretis an overpoweringly charming and memorable adaptation that is raise by a great form . Abby Ryder Fortson , most famed for her role as Cassie Lang in theAnt - Manmovies , is just marvelous as the dear Margaret Simon . Her layered carrying out is a standout and is sure to solidify her spot as one of the vernal actresses one should definitely look out for . Kathy Bates as Sylvia brings some of the humor to this story , and she does so with easiness . eventually , Rachel McAdams stun as Margaret ’s mother . Here , she perform through her soul , and it ’s so easy to become seat in all her character ’s changes thanks to a phenomenal operation .
With a tale as timeless asAre You There God ? It ’s Me , Margaret , a great photographic film adaptation would only be the next footprint . Thankfully , Craig captures the conjuring trick that so many have fallen in honey with over the decennary . The chronicle explores the uncertainties of organized religion , sexual activity education , and girlhood with incredible sincerity and without sound judgement of any option . What ’s more , it attractively reveals the side to humanity that companionship often tries to shroud with these concepts — but does so with genuineness and care . And that ’s what will make this movie as prize as the novel from which it is adapted , and it ’s worth every second .
Rachel McAdams & Abby Ryder Fortson in Are You There God?
Are You There God ? It ’s Me , Margaretreleases in theaters on April 28 . The film is 105 minutes retentive and stag PG-13 for sexual education and some indicative material .
