Crescendo Juntas

This delightful coming of age drama remains sweet and innocent yet honest and heartfelt, never pretending that puberty is easy or otherwise pandering to its potentially young audience. Crucially, though, 'Are You There God? It's Me, Margaret.' presents the pre-teen struggles of its protagonist not as demons to overcome, but as milestones to celebrate; they're just a part of growing up, arguably even more important than all the easy moments. It challenges the stigma that society places on a young woman's journey into adulthood simply by presenting it in a true and complimentary way, allowing it to breathe within a non-judgmental space that openly loves the often messy yet always necessary process. It laughs in the face of taboo, unashamedly portraying a girl's first period as an exciting key moment in her development (and as a metaphor for growing up) and showcasing the 'boy crazy', body anxious, socially conscious, inherently awkward lifestyle of a kid in the 6th grade without resorting to tired clichés or stereotypes. It captures that feeling of everything being incredibly important, even though a lot of it actually isn't. As an adult, you spend a lot of time wishing you were a care-free kid again; as a kid, you spend most of your time wishing you'd grow up and become an adult. When you're young, it doesn't matter matter how many times a grown-up tells you that you'll miss being the age you are, you never believe them; when you're older, you'll wish you had. Another large portion of the picture's theming is that of religion. Its protagonist is given the freedom to choose her own religion, coming from progressive interfaith parents who've opted to raise her without religion due to past trauma that I won't spoil. It handles this really well, too, and is unbiased when it comes to its treatment of the subject. Its message is ultimately an affirming one that ought to appeal to viewers of all kinds, one that opts not to tell people what to think but rather that they should. It essentially says that you should have the freedom to choose what you believe in and how you live your life, positing that you don't have to be religious to believe in God and can feel connected to a higher power (or not) in whatever way works for you. When the source novel was first released in 1970 (which is also when this adaptation is set, meaning that the movie is a period piece even though the book technically isn't), it was apparently highly controversial due not only to its open depiction of female puberty, but also because it had the audacity not to preach to its young readers and suggest that they don't have to blindly follow the religion of their parents. I imagine in some circles, the progressive piece is still controversial, but it's interesting that what once seemed radical now just seems like common sense (and good parenting) to me. Considering the title, though, this story is far more about growing up in general than it is about growing up searching for God, and it's all the better for it. The two elements are balanced well and form a cohesive whole, but the main takeaway from the movie is the subtle yet significant development of its protagonist (the other key characters also all undergo small yet important arcs). Abby Ryder Fortson impresses as the eponymous Margaret, perfectly capturing a multitude of emotions without overselling any of them. The performances, in general, are understated yet brilliant. Benny Safdie is great in his smaller role, Kathy Bates is as radiant as ever and Rachel McAdams really knocks your socks off - particularly in one emotionally charged scene. The supporting kids are all believable and engaging, too. This is the sort of film that doesn't shout about its performances, yet the cast is consistently brilliant across the board and each actor brings to life the brilliant screenplay in a distinctly believable way. The wonderful writing does an amazing job adapting its source material, making considered use of narration (that never feels overbearing) and an almost vignette-like structure to convey the year-long journey of its characters. The picture has a palpable suburban atmosphere capable of instilling nostalgia even in those unfamiliar with its setting or central situation. It feels universally relatable despite being pleasingly specific (or maybe that precision is precisely why it's so accessible). It's the sort of thing that can appeal to everybody, but I can imagine that it's especially important to young girls and their parents. It's genuinely inclusive and progressive, even for today, and it has plenty of important things to say about growing up and taking control of your own life. It's just an extremely pleasant picture, one that's as charming as it is competently crafted. Ultimately, it's a breezy, enjoyable, funny, heartwarming and wonderfully honest experience from beginning to end. It's great.

Story wise, this movie is exceptional as it walks you through the life and journey of a young girl's daily life in elementary school, moving, summer as she struggles to find meaning and purpose.

From a Faith Based Movie perspective, this movie is not about Christianity, Judaism, Catholicism, Atheism, but a journey of discovering hope in God, as a young girl finds herself caught in a family of parents from two different religious backgrounds while facing life challenges every kid experiences and many parents experience.

Exceptional acting, directing, story and cinematography. Perhaps one of the best movies I've seen in quite a few years about average people.

Highly recommended family movie, especially for children in dual religious families where division has occurred.

One of the beautiful things about this movie, is that it doesn't attempt to give the correct answer, as most Faith Based films do, it merely shows one girls struggle as she goes looking for the answer, and the resolution at the end movie leaves one feeling hopeful.

Are You There, God? It's Me, Margaret, the film adaptation of Judy Bloom's 1970 blockbuster coming-of-age novel, is a quiet buster all its own. Rarely has cinema captured an 11-year-old marching toward puberty with such grace and dignity. In the film's road to maturation, three generations of women will face change just as child/teen Margaret does. Abby Ryder Fortson plays Margaret with a realism that looks as if she were always Margaret.

Margaret is moving from a robust neighborhood in 1970's NYC to dreaded suburban New Jersey carrying a disdain she and her Grandmother, Sylvia (Kathy Bates), evidence with some of the film's best lines. Margaret is not rabid in her criticism of the move, just grumpy and negative. To her interlocutor, God, she pleas, "Don't let Jersey be too awful."

For any youth who has been forced to move from a lively life and friends, this segment will have them chuckling as they remember how they tortured parents when disapproving something done for a better family life and dad's promotion. No pleasing a pre-teen most times anyhow.

Much of the film's energy comes from Margaret and her friends navigating the emergence of boys in their lives and the much-anticipated period. This monumental occurrence is welcomed with great fanfare. The girls' embracing emerging busts is encouraged with a lyric that invokes the life marker and prods it along: "We must, we must, we must increase our bust."

Every other possible pre-adolescent moment in young girls' journey through sixth grade to junior high seems to be covered, and probably was in Judy Bloom's book of the same name. Less physical but no less as powerful is her nascent religiosity confronting her roots in Judaism (father) and Christianity (mother and grandmother).

The cause of the split with her maternal grandparents over her mother marrying a Jew has the potential to bring the family together. However, it will be a long haul for an impatient child/teen who wants family unity almost as much as a period and bigger bust. Her interlocuter, both in person and voiceover, is a God she's not certain is real. Talk about demanding issues for a child/teen!

As in life, not all girls are mean and not all teachers inept; everybody's just trying to get through. If the girls seem to be wishing their life away, they are, but their tender moments of love and friendship promise that humanity will be served.

Writer/director Kelly Fromon Craig's Are You There, God? It's Me, Margaret should be required viewing for anyone mixing it up with different cultures or anyone wanting to experience a pitch-perfect adaptation of a seminal work of art.

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.

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.