Are You There God It’s Me Margaret movie is a funny and heartwarming tale. It brought back childhood memories, as many of us face similar coming-of-age issues in our lives.
This Hollywood (2023) movie is based on Judy Blume’s classic novel “Are You There, God? It’s Me, Margaret.” It is a screen adaptation of her famous novel set in the USA in the 1970s.
Notably, Judy Blume appears as a woman taking her dog for a walk in a minor role in the movie.
Trailer: Are You There God It’s Me Margaret (2023) Movie
Drama + Comedy = Dramedy
Synopsis: Are You There God It’s Me Margaret (2023) Movie
11-year-old Margaret Simon (Abby Ryder Fortson) is uprooted from her life in New York City. As her family moves into the suburbs of New Jersey. Thereafter she starts to go through the messy and tumultuous throes of puberty with new friends in a new school. So, she begins to rely on her mother, Barbara Simon (Rachel McAdams). Her mother is also struggling to adjust to life outside the big city, Meanwhile, her adoring grandmother, Sylvia (Kathy Bates), who isn’t happy they moved away likes to remind them every chance she gets.
Review: Are You There God It’s Me Margaret (2023) Movie
About the basic plot
The basic plot revolves around a young girl named Margaret Simon (Abby Ryder Fortson), who is just an 11-year-old kid. When her nuclear family moved from New York City to Fartbrook, New Jersey, she was uprooted from a familiar school and neighbourhood to a new place. So, she does not like it, initially. Set in the bygone era of the 1970s, the plot of this film is captivating. It compels us to make a connection with the character of Margaret.
The details of the storyline
It is worth noting that Margaret’s mother is Christian while her father is Jewish. Therefore, Margaret has been raised without an affiliation to either religious faith. Accordingly, she neither follows Judaism nor Christianism in her life. However, whenever, she faces any sort of issues in her life, she often prays to God in her own words, beginning by saying, “Are you there God? It’s me, Margaret.” In case, you have read the book and watched this film, you will realize that it also focuses on mother Barbara (Rachel McAdams) and shares her story too, besides the usual girl stuff.
The talented ensemble cast
Both the actors – young Abby Ryder Fortson and experienced Rachel McAdams have done a good job in the roles of daughter and mother. Also, Kathy Bates as a grandmother is great. All in all, we loved the on-screen chemistry among all three – Abby, Rachel and Kathy. They looked like real-life family members. We especially liked the performances of Benny Safdie (Herb Simon), Amari Alexis Price (Janie Loomis), Katherine Mallen Kupferer (Gretchen Potter), Elle Graham (Nancy Wheeler), etc. All the above-named ensemble cast members have made it a fun and emotional film to watch.
The conclusion
We liked this American movie about the self-discovery journey and a coming-of-age story about a girl trying to make sense of the big world, which is all around her. This is a good adaptation of the famous novel, which tells enduring tales of human drama, tinged with subtle humour, touching moments and honest exploration of life’s biggest questions.
Rating: Are You There God It’s Me Margaret (2023) Movie
| FM’s rating | 3.65/5 |
| FM’s short comment | This is one of the better adaptations of a very well-known book, we liked the charming ways of on-screen Margaret Simon (played by Abby Ryder Fortson) and her mother Barbara Simon (played by Rachel McAdams) on the issues that teenagers (and even adults) can relate to. |
I love the movie- and how many authors of the book can say, ‘I think that movie is better than the book’?
Judy Blume
Key details of this 2023 Coming-Of-Age Dramedy film from the USA
| Genre | Comedy, Drama, Family |
| Original language | English (USA) |
| Age-restrictions | UA (13+) |
| Released | April – June 2023 |
| Film- duration | 1 hour 45 minutes |
| Author | Judy Blume |
| Writer & Director | Kelly Fremon Craig |
| Cast | Rachel McAdams (Barbara Simon), Abby Ryder Fortson (Margaret Simon), Kathy Bates (Sylvia Simon), Benny Safdie (Herb Simon), Amari Alexis Price (Janie Loomis), Katherine Mallen Kupferer (Gretchen Potter), Elle Graham (Nancy Wheeler), etc. |
| Taglines | Discovering who you are is a journey that lasts a lifetime. |
| Distributor | Lionsgate |
Posterof this 2023 Coming-Of-Age Dramedy film from the USA
If you like this family drama about teenagers, then go ahead and check out the FM article about the We Have A Ghost film, too.
Bonus Information
Read about Judy Blume's classic novel "Are You There, God? It's Me, Margaret."
Featured Image & Poster: Are You There God It’s Me Margaret (2023) Film. | Lionsgate Movies.