by Kevin Muller

Over the course of film history, there have been countless films about adolescence, specifically the journey of a young girl into womanhood. As with any genre, there have been hits and misses. This film is based upon a popular 1970’s novel by Judy Blume.  The author never gave away the rights, due to the fear of a terrible adaptation, until writer and director Kelly Fremon Craig assured her that she would justly honor the novel. Blume’s nerves were eased when she found out Craig was the creative force behind the 2016 acclaimed film The Edge of Seventeen. Was Blume’s decision a wise one or a misstep?

Margaret Simon, played beautifully by Abby Ryder Fortson, has just experienced the ultimate bombshell when returning from summer camp. While she was away, her parents, Barbara and Herb, both professors, decided to move, from New York City to the New Jersey suburbs. Margaret is unenthused by the decision but decides to go anyway. Outside of her parents, the only source of happiness is her grandmother, Sylvia, her father’s mother. From here, the young girl encounters all the typical troubles related to a young girl: popularity, boys, periods, bras, and much more! She also deals with religion, which is a theme that the film dives into with care and respect.

Barbara, who was raised Catholic, and Herb, who is Jewish, don’t force their daughter into one set religion. It isn’t until her sixth grade teacher, Mr. Benedict, nicely played by Echo Kellum, assigns her a report on religion, that she starts to examine her own relationship to both sides. Her exposure to Judaism is less complicated than Catholicism. This is mainly because Barbara has a strained relationship with her own parents due to her own questioning of it. McAdams gets layers to deal with here that she does well with it. The actress succeeds in dealing with the same conflict that all parents do, which is to try to remain levelheaded so that their children can live uncomplicated lives. Of course, conflict does slip in and tests her might. What makes McAdams so good is that she could’ve made this overly dramatic, but she plays it perfectly as a mom who is supportive, yet stressfully trying to keep it all together.

Rachel McAdams and Ben Safdie are lovable and supportive to young Margaret.  McAdams feels natural as a mother who brings stability to her role as a mama, despite having problems of her own. Those problems are woven into the religious angle.  Equally as impressive is Safdie, who plays a big mush of a husband. Anyone who saw Oppenheimer, will see how gifted of an actor that he is. The thick accented and stubborn scientist is nowhere to be found. Instead, Safdie creates an intellectual who provides stability to Margaret’s chaotic life. Even better is the appearance by Kathy Bates, the grandmother. Despite flaws of her own, she and Margaret’s relationship is sweet natured.

Outside of parents and religion, the film deals with the typical woes of teen life with care and humor. Margaret is befriended by Nancy Wheeler, played by Elle Graham.   The character is one that we all knew. A girl who acts wise beyond her years, but is just like everyone else at that age, scared and unsure of everything that is going on around her. Throughout it all, Margaret never loses her kind spirit. Fortson makes it all look so easy. She is charming but feels like a real teenager. In many films teens come off to sly or overly emotional. The young actress plays into both qualities and creates a lovable lead character. We all wish that the world could be full of more people like her.

Kelly Fremon Craig has created an honest rite of passage tale, that honors the feel of the novel and the heroine in it. Along with Forston, it all comes off genuine and honest.  It is a film that should be embraced by not only confused teenagers, but those bewildered adults looking to understand their children.

I am giving Are You There God? It’s Me, Margaret a 4 out of 5 Hairpieces!

#AreYouThereGodItsMeMargaret #MovieReview

“When her family moves from the city to the suburbs, 11-year-old Margaret navigates new friends, feelings, and the beginning of adolescence.”