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

The engaging Abby Ryder Fortson is on strong form here as the eponymous girl who finds herself shifted by her parents to live across the Hudson in New Jersey. Now they are an happy family: mum "Barbara" (Rachel McAdams) and dad "Herb" (Benny Safdie) that is egged on now and again by her favourite, and mischievous, grandmother "Sylvia" (Kathy Bates). New house, new school, new friends and quickly settling in, she joins a secret club with three other girls and what now ensues is a rather poignant and entertaining coming-of-age tale as the girls compete with each other for just about everything from the cute "Philip" (Zack Brooks) to which of them has their first period or wears their first bra. I suspect this may well resonate more with girls than boys, but that doesn't compromise it's potency. These girls reflect behaviour and attitudes that could almost certainly be found in most schools around any country. The introduction of her conversations with God (her parents are a non-practising Jew and Christian respectively so she's been left to be undecided on the issue) upon whom she is relying to help her avoid disaster, get the boy and vent her frustrations become more relatable as the film proceeds. It's got a little unwelcome melodrama, but Kathy Bates manages to keep that under control with a punchy series of short but impactful contributions and the whole thing is effectively kept on an even keel by an enjoyable effort from McAdams. The pacing and the writing are solid with some pithily apposite observations, and by the end I was just grateful that my hormones have long since given up the ghost!

“Are You There God? It’s Me, Margaret” is one of the first books I remember reading where I felt like the author really understood what it was like to be me. Judy Blume’s beloved book has been considered a rite of passage for many young girls, and the pressure of adapting the work for the screen had to be enormous for writer-director Kelly Fremon Craig. Thankfully, the film does the source material justice, creating a timeless coming-of-age story that brings the classic book to life.

Sixth grader Margaret (Abby Ryder Fortson) is 11 when she is unexpectedly uprooted from her life in New York City to the suburbs of New Jersey. Her mom Barbara (Rachel McAdams) and dad Herb (Benny Safdie) assure her that she will make new friends and get a fresh start at school. Margaret doesn’t want to move away from her loving grandma (Kathy Bates) either, who constantly reminds the family that she’s unhappy they’ve moved so far away. While her mom has difficulty adjusting to her new role as a homemaker, Margaret is quickly accepted by neighbor Nancy (Elle Graham) into her secret club for girls with fellow classmates Gretchen (Katherine Mallen Kupferer) and Janie (Amari Alexis Price). They meet after school to talk about the important things: boys, getting their periods, and their developing bodies.

The film stays mostly true to Blume’s original work, with a few potentially problematic things omitted and others added to build more drama. The novel heavily discusses religion, as Margaret’s mother was raised Christian and her father is Jewish, and the young girl struggles with finding a place where she belongs. Margaret prays to a god, but also asserts that she doesn’t believe in one. The film carries this theme well, and does not shy away from frank discussions about how religion divides people.

There are plenty of scenes about the ups and downs of puberty, one of the most confusing and taxing time in the life of an adolescent. The body shaming of classmate Laura (Isol Young)...

If I didn't know better, I'd think this was a Neil Simon play. But I'm not a girl and in my youth I read Hardy Boys, not Judy Blume.

The movie is very well done. Abby Ryder Fortson does one helluva job with the lead role.

It's a little humorous and a little heartwarming. And I hate to give it only a 7, but it's just not my cup of tea and I didn't see anything so super creative that it deserved a higher score.

FULL SPOILER-FREE REVIEW @ www.firstshowing.net/2023/review-are-you-there-god-its-me-margaret-is-a-pleasant-surprise/

"ARE YOU THERE GOD? IT’S ME, MARGARET stands out as a triumph in the coming-of-age subgenre. Its refusal to shy away from sensitive subject matters, coupled with brilliant performances and a meticulously crafted script, results in a story that not only entertains with astute humor but also resonates on a deeply personal level.

It's a testament to Kelly Fremon Craig's commitment to authenticity and storytelling that transcends the boundaries of age and gender. A poignant, relatable portrayal of the complexities of adolescence, leaving a lasting impact on its audience.“

Rating: A-

Are You There God? It's Me, Margaret is a heartfelt coming-of-age film that explores the relatable journey of a young girl navigating puberty, friendships, and spiritual identity. While the story flows smoothly and offers valuable life lessons, several conflicts—like Margaret’s misunderstandings with friends and her spiritual search—lack satisfying resolution. Despite minor historical setting flaws, strong performances and emotional depth make this film a meaningful watch, especially for families.

Read the full review here: (Indonesian version : alunauwie.com) and (English version : uwiepuspita.com)