Are You There God? It's Me, Margaret.

"Are You There God? It's Me, Margaret" is a delightful coming-of-age comedy written and directed by Kelly Fremon Craig, acclaimed for her previous work on "The Edge of Seventeen." With a cleverly crafted script and an ensemble cast of immense talent, this film offers a heartfelt exploration of puberty, identity, and religious conflicts, all while delivering an ample dose of humor.

Based on the beloved novel of the same name by Judy Blume, published in 1970, if this cinematic adaptation is accurate to the book, then I'd love to read it. The film follows the journey of Margaret Simon, portrayed with remarkable aplomb by Abby Ryder Fortson, as she navigates the challenges of adolescence in the picturesque suburbs of New Jersey. Margaret finds herself at a crossroads, torn between the Christian faith of her mother and the Jewish heritage of her father. As she grapples with this internal conflict, her English teacher assigns her a research paper on religion, setting the stage for a witty and thought-provoking exploration of religious prejudice, traditions, and the clash of beliefs.

Kelly Fremon Craig's screenplay masterfully strikes a balance between humor and depth, utilizing incisive satire to expose the absurdity of religious bias and stereotypes on top of all the awkwardness of pueburty. Within this comedic framework, the film conveys poignant messages about tolerance, empathy, and the importance of embracing one's individuality, all while providing genuine moments of self-discovery and personal growth.

The young cast members deliver exceptional performances, infusing the film with authenticity and charm. Abby Ryder Fortson's portrayal of Margaret is a revelation, capturing the complexities of adolescence with charisma and vulnerability. Rachel McAdams and Benny Safdie bring a delightful blend of humor and warmth to their roles as Margaret's parents, while Kathy Bates delivers a standout performance as Margaret's melodramatic grandmother, stealing every scene she appears in.

Clocking in at a runtime of 1 hour and 46 minutes, "Are You There God? It's Me, Margaret" maintains a brisk pace, ensuring that the audience remains fully engaged throughout the film. The cinematography beautifully captures the detailed facial expressions, New Jersey Suburbs, and elegantly dressed sets, enhancing the authenticity and relatability of Margaret's upbringing.

This cinematic adaptation successfully draws inspiration from the classic 1970 novel by Judy Blume, retaining its timeless themes and endearing charm. The film pays homage to its source material while adding contemporary nuances that resonate with modern audiences. It's a testament to Kelly Fremon Craig's skill as a writer and director, deftly blending elements of nostalgia and fresh perspectives.

Kelly Fremon Craig's talented storytelling, combined with outstanding performances from the talented cast, makes this film a must-watch for audiences of all ages. It effortlessly captures the essence of adolescence, providing a humorous and thought-provoking exploration of religious identity and acceptance in the suburbs of New Jersey.

So much to think about after seeing this today. I thought the acting was very good. Realistic. In 4th grade I remember a big controversy at my school about this book. We were not allowed to read it. That was 1978. How refreshing to see what all the fuss was about. Anyway, I enjoyed seeing this film and look forward to buying the book! Powerful. Kathy Bates character is so lovable and fun. Who wouldn't want a Grandma like that? Her timing is hilarious. She's so warm in all the right places. She's the true hero to me. Costumes/attire/fashions seemed believable. Kudos to costume designers. Of course kudos to Judy Blume for the courage to write a book for girls with big ideas. Because we have brains.

At least marginally better than "Are You There, God? It's me, Jonah Hill. From Moneyball."

Succinctly and pleasantly low stakes; there isn't any high-great drama, until the last twenty minutes, but the tone is consistent and manages to get deep about Faith, or really the absence of it, or how hard it can be for a young person to comprehend how, as Margaret ultimately puts it in the assignment to the teacher, religion makes people fight all the time.

For the most part, this is a story that is a School Year in the Life abd it's perfectly content to be about things like, oh, how you're fitting in with a new group of friends (some more agreeable than others), which boys are cute or not, and yet it's actually about something deeper due to the comparison the film makes between Margaret with Nancy and Margaret's Mom with the PTA (led by... Nancy's Mom): a Group isn't inherently a bad thing, but when there's one person asking or really demanding for this and that with pressures it can add to the already-there pressure of life in Suburbia.

Abby Ryder Fortson is so appealing and wonderful in the lead part, where your heart always goes out to her and she is funny and sympathetic and sometimes awkward in that way an 11 to 12 year old is at that time. The film maybe wraps everything up a little too tidy by the end for me, but it's hard to make a fuss when what is all wrapped up is all just, well, "will I finally talk to Moose who mows the lawn, or will "It" happen in the bathroom?" I never read the book, but it feels like it probably managed to bring everything in adaptation that was necessary (though I wonder if things between Margaret and Nancy came more to a head in the book than here, where things just kind of leave off on a silent understanding of a lie).

If it doesn't reach quite the heights of the director's previous movie, Edge of Seventeen, it's still never less than entertaining, amusing is not always funny (ok the dinner scene with both sides of the families is funny), and it's impressive that this can be in theaters as something for families to see that isn't the more soulless IP or candy-coated fast food.

Kelly Fremon Craig, who earlier wrote and directed The Edge of Seventeen comes up with yet another brilliant effort here. Abby Ryder Fortson is the lady of the hour and she's excellent in her portrayal of 12-year-old Margaret who navigates high-school life and everything else that comes with it after moving to NJ from NY in the '70s. I mean, wow! How beautiful it is to see Margaret grow up without the existence of smartphones and TikTok-ing and all that new-age, validatory baggage. There's so much adorable charm that Abby brings to the central character, coming off as someone all of us (regardless of gender) can relate to. She's going through that inexplicable phase in life where she has to figure everything out including making friends, menstruation, boys, religion, grandparents, etcetera. The film captures all of these aspects without applying filters, making it a refreshingly enjoyable watch.

The supporting cast is incredible too - be it Rachel McAdams (who rocks those '70s mom jeans👖), Benny Safdie, Kathy Bates, and the rest. And for a film with a child protagonist, there's a surprising amount of well-written situational humour. The climax warmed my heart and made me realize how seamlessly and subtly the film underlined its feel-good nature. The cinematography and production design also bring back the aesthetic beauty of the era; a time when apparel, furniture, cars, and houses came with a certain handcrafted allure. The adult characters in the film also get nicely fleshed out, and Barbara's (McAdams) arc especially, is a satisfying one. This wonderful story of "girlhood" almost feels like an old-school throwback to Bo Burnham's Eighth Grade, although they're both very different films.

Watched it right after watching Indiana Jones and the Dial of Destiny. Anyways this sweet little coming of age film is about Margaret as she tries to figure out a lot of things as a teenager. She is in sixth grade and had to move to New Jersey, leaving her grandmother and friends as her parents decided to shift after the father earned a promotion. In the new city, she makes new friends, waits to have first period and experience her first kiss, while juggling through her biggest conundrum, religion.

The performance stood out along with the smart writing. I instantly bought into these teen characters and their innocence, while relating to the adults emotionally. Margaret reaching out to God throughout the movie simply had a nice touch. Though it doesn't dwell much into the religious aspect, the whole Jewish vs catholic Christians thing, it does handle it without getting preachy. It definitely had multiple stand out scenes, ranging from hilarious to heart touching moments.

Definitely recommended.