‘Are You There God? It’s Me, Margaret.’ Blessed with 99% on Rotten Tomatoes
A young girl’s challenges with adolescence are explored in this classic book-to-movie feature. Read more below.
Fifty-three years after it’s initial release, author Judy Blume’s “Are You There God? It’s Me, Margaret.” has received the big screen treatment. The film was the number one new release at the box office over the weekend, and received impressive critical reviews. The movie, based on the 1970 YA novel, currently holds a 99 percent on Rotten Tomatoes and an “A” CinemaScore.
The Lionsgate film is a classic and groundbreaking novel that impacted generations of girls with its coming-of-age story – a cinematic theme director Kelly Fremon Craig is well-versed in. Her debut film was the 2016 critically-acclaimed coming-of-age story “The Edge of Seventeen.” Rolling Stone wrote in its review, “In the hands of director Kelly Fremon Craig, ‘Are You There, God? It’s Me, Margaret.’ isn’t just about adolescence -- it’s about the state of womanhood in general, with all of the accompanying sacrifices and vexations and humiliations that come with it.”
“A cinematic blessing. Go see it, and take your preteen kids. Yes, even the boys.” Boston Globe
Set in the 1970s, 11-year-old Margaret is uprooted from her life in New York City and moved to the suburbs of New Jersey. There, she goes through the tumultuous throes of puberty with new friends in a new school, all while trying to figure out her relationship with religion. It’s insightful, it’s humorous and it’s an honest investigation of life’s biggest questions.
Other reviews gush over how true the cinematic adaption remained to its source material. A.V. Club shared: “This is an astounding adaptation of a beloved book, capturing the essence of what made Judy Blume such a phenomenon while speaking in a voice that resonates whether you were Margaret’s age in 1970 or are a child in the here and now.” And ABC News agreed, writing: “Hollywood does gloriously right by Judy Blume’s 1970 bestseller about a pre-teen girl (a stellar Abby Ryder Fortson) in a tug-of-war with puberty and religion. Costars McAdams and Bates exemplify Blume’s refreshing candor. Call it totally irresistible.”
The film stars Abby Ryder Forston in the titular role, as well as Rachel McAdams, Kathy Bates and Benny Safdie.
“Are You There God? It’s Me, Margaret.” is playing in theaters now, and will be available for licensing from Swank soon.