Are You There God? It’s Me, Margaret (2023 | USA | 105 minutes | Kelly Fremon Craig)
When I first learned that a movie for the Judy Blume classic novel of adolescent angst Are You There God? It’s Me, Margaret, I couldn’t help but feel cynical. It’s hard not to be considering how many great books I cherish have been turned into forgettable adaptations over the past few years. It wasn’t a good sign when I watched a documentary on Blume last week that even one of her devoted fans in literature said her books are “timely not timeless.” It brings me great joy to report back that the new film adaptation of Margaret is…quite good.
I hasten to add that I don’t believe Margaret has endured so long because it’s a well-written story (though it very much is a well-written story) but because Judy Blume was honest with a young readership at a time when no one else was willing to be. It’s a trait she shares with Mr. Rogers.
Writer and director Kelly Fremon Craig has a deft touch with a beloved story that is more than fifty years old. It’s been many, many years since I read the book, but my recollection is that this is a mostly faithful adaptation. Before the movie even began at the advance screening I went to, there was a montage of women talking about what the book meant to them, most were not famous, save for Mayim Bialik. Much, much to its credit, Margaret the movie doesn’t ever become too reverential or try to update itself for a 2023 audience. It has an understated quality that serves it well over its 105 minute run time. It’s very impressive how nothing feels forced or inauthentic.
The casting was inspired with Rachel McAdams and Benny Safdie as Margaret’s parents and Kathy Bates as one of her grandparents (she always seems to be playing someone’s grandmother these days). Abby Ryder Fortson is exceptional as Margaret, as is Elle Graham playing friend/neighbor Nancy Wheeler. She expertly conveys a character who overtly tries to appear more sophisticated than she actually is.
One thing I appreciated was that while Margaret takes place in suburban New Jersey in the 1970’s, it doesn’t let the locale become its own presence away from the story. This looks like a movie from the seventies, but it doesn’t try to cram in any Easter eggs just because it could. (Judy Blume does have a very small cameo though.)
I also thought that by letting the story unfold organically, it made the payoff for the more iconic scenes (“WE MUST! WE MUST! WE MUST INCREASE OUR BUST!”) all the more satisfying.
Ultimately, I think the main reason Are You There God? It’s Me, Margaret works so well is that Craig doesn’t just have love and reverence for the book, but also for the characters. Every character is full of complexity. Margaret works because Margaret is allowed to be Margaret.
Are You There God? It’s Me, Margaret opens in theaters today, Friday, April 28.