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

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Ant-Man’s Abby Rider Fortson is engaging as Margaret, who has to move from New York to New Jersey when her dad Herb (Benny Safdie) gets a big, though unspecified, job and his wife Barbara (Rachel McAdams) agrees to quit her art teaching career to be a stay-at-home mom for Margaret out there in the 'burbs. Judy Blume’s proto-YA classic from 1970 gets a screen adaptation; it is a sweet-natured, undemanding, oddly inconsequential movie about a lonely, smart 12-year-old anxious about the onset of puberty and adulthood. Among other shows and movies, Gracie Films is responsible for "The Mary Tyler Moore Show" (1970-77), "Jerry McGuire" (1996), and "As Good as it Gets" (1997).

The version of the film shown at advanced screenings featured a "Margaret Moments" segment prior to the film playing, which features women recounting their memories which are relatable to the characters/situations of the original book. The film pays homage to its source material while adding contemporary nuances that resonate with modern audiences. 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. 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.

year-old Margaret (Abby Ryder Fortson) is uprooted from her life in New York City for the suburbs of New Jersey, going through the messy and tumultuous throes of puberty with new friends in a new school. The cinematography beautifully captures the detailed facial expressions, New Jersey Suburbs, and elegantly dressed sets, enhancing the authenticity and relatability of Margaret's upbringing. Fans of "The Simpsons" especially will note the Gracie Films logo at the beginning of the film, used at the end of episodes of the aforementioned television show.

Margaret finds herself at a crossroads, torn between the Christian faith of her mother and the Jewish heritage of her father. This cinematic adaptation successfully draws inspiration from the classic 1970 novel by Judy Blume, retaining its timeless themes and endearing charm. Eleven-year-old Margaret moves to a new town and starts to contemplate everything about life, friendship and adolescence.Her mother’s devoutly Christian and bigoted parents objected to her marrying a Jew, which means Margaret has never met them. Abby Ryder Fortson's portrayal of Margaret is a revelation, capturing the complexities of adolescence with charisma and vulnerability. It’s Me, Margaret proves a timeless coming-of-age story with insightful humour and candid exploration of life’s biggest questions.

She relies on her mother (McAdams), who offers loving support but is herself finding her own footing in a new place, and her grandmother Sylvia (Bates), who is coming to terms with finding happiness in the next phase of her life. 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 103 third parties who use cookies on this service do so for their purposes of displaying and measuring personalized ads, generating audience insights, and developing and improving products.

And then there is Margaret’s black comic embarrassment-ordeal of growing up: the boys, the training bras and the sanitary towels. Please include what you were doing when this page came up and the Cloudflare Ray ID found at the bottom of this page. Closed captions refer to subtitles in available languages with the addition of relevant non-dialogue information. 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.