"Are You There God? It's Me, Margaret." is so wonderful that it deserves to be called an "instant classic"

Are You There God? It’s Me, Margaret. (2023)

Judy Blume’s 1970 book “Are You There God? It’s Me, Margaret.” means a lot to people, especially to those who read it during their formative years. Thank God, then, that an audience member doesn’t have to be a teenage girl waiting for her period to adore this lovely screen adaptation from writer-director Kelly Fremon Craig (who already made a great teen-movie touchstone with 2016’s “The Edge of Seventeen”). It remains universal, and with a half-century between both mediums, this film version might as well be as deceptively groundbreaking and astute as Blume’s beloved yet once-banned source material. For those who lament they don't make movies like they used to, "Are You There God? It's Me, Margaret." has answered your prayers. 

Abby Ryder Fortson (2018’s “Ant-Man and the Wasp”) is winning in her authenticity as 11-year-old Margaret Simon. Back home in New York City from summer camp, her whole life is altered. Her parents, Barbara (Rachel McAdams) and Herb (Benny Safdie), are uprooting the family to New Jersey. This big life change crushes Margaret, and it’s hard on grandmother Sylvia (Kathy Bates), who loves spending time with her granddaughter. Life looks up for the sixth-grader, though, upon the new move. Along the way toward understanding more about the world and womanhood, Margaret joins a secret girls’ club, led by her neighbor and new friend Nancy (Elle Graham) who wants to compare notes on who gets their period first; demands her mother take her bra shopping to fit in with the other girls; experiences puppy love; and, of course, starts confessing to God without getting any feedback. Navigating adolescence can be hard, even in 1970, but it’s all part of growing up.

With a strong voice, a restless spirit, and an inquisitive mind (much like our protagonist), “Are You There God? It’s Me, Margaret.” is a wonderful coming-of-ager and instantaneously a quintessential guide for young and old. As one who hasn’t read Judy Blume's book but can safely assume there's faithfulness from page to screen, the film specializes in being earnest and never once speaking down to its audience, no matter their age. It covers a lot of ground and character milestones without being overly episodic or feeling like it's just ticking off a box. All from the point-of-view of Margaret Simon (and her mother as well), writer-director Kelly Fremon Craig’s script gets its arms around religion, personal identity, friendship, menstruation, and, well, it works in tandem with puberty but . . . how to “increase our bust.” 

Rachel McAdams is always terrific, but she’s revelatory here as Barbara, a beacon of kindness as a wife and mother who’s put her family first when her own Christian parents did the opposite (they cast her out for marrying a Jewish man). Even though her cooking is never up to snuff, Barbara gives up her true passion as an art teacher to take care of the home and take on more PTA committee tasks than she can handle. Benny Safdie has less to do by comparison, but he brings such an easygoing sweetness to the part of Margaret's father, rounding out the love that binds the Simon family. The great Kathy Bates also can’t help but snatch up all of her showy scenes as Margaret’s Jewish grandmother Sylvia; Bates is such a pro that she’s able to make Sylvia a brassy and lovable spitfire without ever being a broad caricature. 

As timeless as the story remains in its notions about growing up, director Kelly Fremon Craig does get the specific 1970 period just right, from the impeccable production design of the Simons’ New York apartment to their new home in New Jersey, to every needle drop that is era-appropriate but not always the most obvious choice. Gently sardonic and charming, wise and true, tender and funny, “Are You There God? It’s Me, Margaret.” is an absolute treasure. The term “instant classic” sometimes gets thrown around willy-nilly, but this feels like the perfect time to use it.

Grade: A -

Lionsgate is releasing “Are You There God? It’s Me, Margaret.” (105 min.) in theaters on April 28, 2023.