ARE YOU THERE, GOD? IT'S ME, MARGARET
Cert PG
106 mins
BBFC advice: Contains mild sex references, references to racism, emotional upset
Oh, wow... what a wonderful surprise!
Are You There, God? It's Me Margaret has a great case to be hailed as the feelgood film of 2023.
It is hilarious and poignant and includes a stand-out debut from the wonderful Abby Ryder Fortson.
And, while it may be set in 1970, its themes are just as relevant today.
Adapted from Judy Blume's bestseller, Kelly Fremon Craig's film begins with Margaret happily surrounded by friends at summer camp.
When she comes home, her grandma (Kathy Bates) lets out the bombshell that she is moving with her mum (Rachel McAdams) and dad (Benny Safdie) to New Jersey.
She is distraught but her fears are partly dispelled on their first day after an invitation to play by a confident young neighbour (Elle Graham).
However, the pressure of a pre-teen girl suddenly becomes very clear as the race for periods, noticeable busts and a first kiss become overwhelming.
She also investigates which religion she should follow, having been given a free choice by her parents.
That sounds much more serious than Craig's movie is - this is a charming and very funny picture.
Margaret finds herself in all sorts of scrapes and situations Fortson carries off a role which seems to have been written for her.
Meanwhile, Bates is deliciously over-the-top as her made-up-to-the-nines but lonely grandma.
And the settings are so well done. Time and again, Mrs W and I yelled out: "Do you remember that?" (Apparently, she and her friend really did sing the bust song).
I wasn't its target audience but I laughed out loud five times and immediately contacted our daughter to recommend it.
I can't see why anyone wouldn't have a great time watching it.
Reasons to watch: Feelgood film of the year
Reasons to avoid: A bit too twee at times
Laughs: Five
Jumps: None
Vomit: None
Nudity: None
Overall rating: 9/10
Did you know? Are You There, God? It's Me Margaret's author Judy Blume began writing children's, young adult, and adult fiction in 1959 and was named one of the 100 most influential people in the world by Time magazine in 2023.
The final word. Kelly Fremon Craig said: “While I was writing the script, I interviewed a ton of 11- and 12-year-old girls, because I thought to myself, ‘I wonder what has changed, what are the differences? I want to understand those.’ The amazing thing was I found that there were almost no differences. The insecurities, the group dynamics, it was all the same. That’s part of the magic of her book is she captures that, and it doesn’t ever change.” Indiewire
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