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

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Fans of Judy Blume’s popular 1970 coming-of-age novel, Are You There, God? It’s Me, Margaret, may have been apprehensive about how the film adaptation would turn out. Early reactions seem to show unanimous approval, and it’s very likely that the movie will be just as successful as the book. For over fifty years, Judy Blume's classic and groundbreaking novel Are You There God? It's Me, Margaret. has impacted generations with its timeless coming of age story, insightful humor, and candid exploration of life's biggest questions. In Lionsgate's big-screen adaptation, 11-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. She relies on her mother, Barbara (Rachel McAdams), who is also struggling to adjust to life outside the big city, and her adoring grandmother, Sylvia (Kathy Bates), who isn't happy they moved away and likes to remind them every chance she gets. Fleming, Mike Jr. (March 2, 2020). "Lionsgate Wins Movie Auction For Seminal Judy Blume Novel 'Are You There, God? It's Me, Margaret' ". Deadline Hollywood. Archived from the original on October 30, 2020 . Retrieved March 30, 2020.

D'Alessandro, Anthony (June 15, 2022). " 'Dirty Dancing' Sequel Sets 2024 Release; 'Are You There God? It's Me, Margaret' Heads To Pre-Summer 2023". Deadline. Archived from the original on July 20, 2022 . Retrieved June 15, 2022. Rankin, Seija (February 19, 2021). "Rachel McAdams and Abby Ryder Fortson join the Are You There God? It's Me, Margaret movie". People. Archived from the original on February 19, 2021 . Retrieved February 19, 2021. Judy Blume's books – more than 25 novels for children and adults – are often celebrated for their openness about sex, menstruation, bullying and other teenage concerns, but if this was their sole strength, it's doubtful people would feel as deeply about them as they do. Her books are often about young people getting to know themselves and learning how to navigate the world, written with sensitivity, compassion and an acute understanding of the things teenagers worry about. I am such a fan of the book and such a fan of Judy. It was important to me to do right by her, to make a film that felt like a reflection of her and the spirit of her book," Craig says, describing the moment when Blume gave her the rights as "wildly surreal". Worthington and Michael think Blume's books remain so popular in part because the kids who grew up on them now have children and even grandchildren of their own. "If you read a book together with your kid, it's an opportunity to have conversations and bond and grow closer," says Michael.Craig was also nervous about filming the scene where Margaret and her friends perform their bust-increasing exercises. "That's the thing everybody remembers from the book, so filming it was a big deal. I knew we had to get that right." Author Blume has been a part of the process from the very beginning, selling the rights specifically to Fremon Craig and producer James L. Brooks. McAdams told People that Blume was very involved on set, and said she was honoured to have the author there. "Watching her watch her book come to life and to be a part of that was just so surreal," McAdams revealed to People. "She's the loveliest lady and I felt very honoured to be part of this for that reason. That she waited so, so long to do this until, until she felt really good about giving it over. I just wanted to do right by her and give her the best Barb I could." King, Aidan (May 30, 2023). " Are You There God? It's Me, Margaret Gets Digital & Blu-ray Release Dates". Collider . Retrieved June 11, 2023. A charming, honest and fresh look at the reality of being a preteen girl, Blume’s story may be over 50 years old, but such a candid portrayal of prepubescent life was well overdue on the big screen. The female perspectives of the author and of director Kelly Fremon Craig make the storytelling all the more authentic, especially when coupled with the strong performances of the protagonists. The leading ladies represent three generations of womanhood (Forston as young Margaret, McAdams as an art teacher and stay-at-home mum, and grandma Sylvia as a senior enjoying a second youth), thus giving an well-rounded picture of what each phase of life can bring. The story recounts the experiences of an 11-year-old as she anticipates puberty and navigates the universal challenges associated with this time of transition. Margaret (Abby Ryder Fortson) is hugely disappointed when her parents (played by Rachel McAdams and Benny Safdie) announce that the family will be leaving New York and settling in suburban New Jersey. She is sad about leaving behind her fun grandma, Sylvia (Kathy Bates), and apprehensive about fitting in at a different school. Upon reaching her new home, however, she is surprised when the vivacious girl next door, Nancy (Elle Graham), immediately draws her into a new world. For the first time, the protagonist finds herself thinking (and worrying) about boys, bras, periods and even some of the great questions of life, such as the existence of a god and the complications of family ties.

The film isn't the first screen adaptation of Blume's work. There's a 1978 television movie of her 1975 novel Forever – very unmistakably a product of the 1970s – and a 2013 film version of Tiger Eyes, co-written by Blume and her son Larry, who also directs. But Margaret, arguably the most beloved of her books, had never been filmed before Blume entrusted it to Craig and her mentor, director James L Brooks (Terms of Endearment, Broadcast News). Margaret and her new friends anticipate the milestones of puberty, such as wearing a bra and having their first kisses. At classmate Norman Fischer's birthday party, Margaret enjoys her first kiss with Philip Leroy, a popular boy in her class, during a game of spin the bottle. She also attends respective church masses with Janie and Nancy. After viewing a video about menstruation at school, the girls become excited about starting their periods. Margaret grows impatient when other girls get their periods before her, including Gretchen and Nancy. Me and Earl and the Dying Girl (2015): A story as touching as it is heartbreaking, you can see what kind of story Me and Earl and the Dying Girl is going to be right from the title. Focusing on Greg ( Thomas Mann) and his best friend Earl ( RJ Cyler) as they form a meaningful friendship with Rachel ( Olivia Cooke), a young woman who has been diagnosed with a terminal illness. Though the title might seem like a spoiler, the journey these three teenagers go on is one that's impossible to forget. Plemmons, Mark (May 28, 2021). "Friday Five: Big stars in Concord?". Independent Tribune. Archived from the original on May 28, 2021 . Retrieved May 28, 2021. N'Duka, Amanda (March 2, 2021). "Kathy Bates Joins 'Are You There God? It's Me, Margaret' Adaptation At Lionsgate". Deadline Hollywood. Archived from the original on March 2, 2021 . Retrieved March 2, 2021.

Valluzzo, Andrea (December 28, 2022). "Fairfield actress to star in new Rachel McAdams movie". CT Insider. Archived from the original on January 18, 2023 . Retrieved January 18, 2023. At the beginning of the school year, Margaret's teacher, Mr. Benedict, gives the class a year-long research assignment. When he learns Margaret dislikes religious holidays, she explains that since her mother is a Christian and her father is Jewish, her family does not observe the holidays and has left it up to Margaret to decide on her own religious identity as she grows older. Are You There God? It's Me, Margaret" will follow the plot of the beloved Blume book, telling the story of 11-year-old Margaret Simon, who has a Christian mother and a Jewish father, but no particular religion of her own. Upon its release in 1970, the book became a classic for its honest and heartwarming portrayal of Margaret's curiosity about spirituality, puberty, family, and growing up. Prompted by her school assignment, Margaret asks her mother why she has never met her maternal grandparents. Barbara reveals that she is estranged from her devoutly Christian parents Paul and Mary, who disowned her upon her marriage to a Jewish man. On a weekend visit to New York City, Margaret asks Sylvia to take her to temple, which Sylvia gladly does. Meanwhile, Barbara attempts to fit in with the PTA and signs up for multiple committees, which draws her away from her hobby of painting and teaching art. For over fifty years, Judy Blume’s classic and groundbreaking novel Are You There God? It’s Me, Margaret. has impacted generations with its timeless coming of age story, insightful humor, and candid exploration of life’s biggest questions. In Lionsgate’s big-screen adaptation, 11-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. She relies on her mother, Barbara (Rachel McAdams), who is also struggling to adjust to life outside the big city, and her adoring grandmother, Sylvia (Kathy Bates), who isn’t happy they moved away and likes to remind them every chance she gets. The film also stars Benny Safdie (Licorice Pizza, Good Time) and is written for the screen and directed by Kelly Fremon Craig (The Edge of Seventeen), based on the book by Judy Blume, and produced by Gracie Films’ Academy Award® winner James L. Brooks (Best Picture, 1983 – Terms of Endearment), alongside Julie Ansell, Richard Sakai, Kelly Fremon Craig, Judy Blume, Amy Lorraine Brooks, Aldric La’auli Porter, and executive produced by Jonathan McCoy.

Are You There God? It's Me, Margaret. - Financial Information". The Numbers . Retrieved June 16, 2023. That's only one factor, though. The books, while rooted in the time they were written, have a timeless quality because the things teenagers worry about are largely the same and few writers understand that the way Blume does. For the podcast, Michael and Worthington have read a lot of what they call "Judy-adjacent" books, but nothing quite matches up. "Judy has this special connection to the inner thoughts of children and teens," says Michael. "She remembers what it feels like, in a way that I just don't think a lot of writers can do." Critics praised the film for being a faithful adaptation of the book while also fleshing out its adult characters. Pete Hammond of Deadline Hollywood described the film as a "rip-roaring, funny, human, wonderful studio movie comedy you might have forgotten Hollywood knew how to make anymore", and praised the film's cast, Craig's direction, and the decision to leave the story set in the 1970s, as the original novel did. [22] Hammond pointed out how "every character in this film is finding there is much to learn in life at whatever point you happen to be." [22] Time called Fortson "marvelous" and said she "[captures] all of Margaret's eager earnestness". [23] Writing for Jezebel, Rodlyn-mae Banting said the "film adaptation comes as a gift—one that fiercely advocates for the beauty of girlhood in all of its agonizing, terrifying, but absolutely exhilarating glory." [24] Amy Nicholson of Variety said "There’s plenty in [the film] to treasure" and "the [girls'] friendship scenes are standouts", but opined the film also "seems uneasy putting funny, flawed and all-too-realistic Margaret on screen exactly as she is." [25] Accolades Award

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Nicholson, Amy (April 20, 2023). " Are You There, God? It's Me, Margaret Review: An Appealing But Edgeless Adaptation of a Coming-of-Age Classic". Variety. Archived from the original on April 20, 2023 . Retrieved April 20, 2023. Are You There God? It's Me, Margaret. is a 2023 American coming-of-age comedy-drama film written and directed by Kelly Fremon Craig, based on the 1970 novel of the same name by Judy Blume. [5] The film stars Abby Ryder Fortson as the title character, along with Rachel McAdams, Elle Graham, Benny Safdie, and Kathy Bates. Margaret hands in her research paper to Mr. Benedict, wherein she expresses her disillusionment with religion. Soon, she reconciles with her parents and Sylvia. At the end of the school year, Margaret thanks Mr. Benedict for being a good teacher. She also befriends Laura and asks her to dance, with Janie joining them shortly afterwards. Barbara, who has since returned to teaching painting, tells Nancy's mother Jan, the PTA president, that she will no longer volunteer for PTA committees. Anderson, Erik (June 30, 2023). "Hollywood Critics Association 2023 Midseason HCA Awards: 'Spider-Man: Across the Spider-Verse,' 'Past Lives,' 'Air' are Top Winners". AwardsWatch . Retrieved November 14, 2023.