ARE YOU THERE GOD? IT’S ME, MARGARET is a simple story about coming of age for a young eleven-year-old girl. It dares to broach the tender, confusing introduction of puberty. This film is based on Judy Blume’s masterpiece. It is still as brilliant and popular as ever. It doesn’t matter if it’s 1970 or 2023. Blume’s most celebrated novel and this film are timeless and, dare I say…sheer perfection.
I know most of us try to forget our first experiences with puberty. It can be the elephant in the room for most parents trying to help guide their children through these explosive years. Being too developed, too tall, or non-existent is all part of those wonder years. Is there a woman who can’t remember wishing for their boobs to grow? Exercising those breast muscles never worked, yet we pumped and chanted for change every day. “We must; we must, we must increase our busts.” Playing two minutes in the closet was the answer to receiving our first kiss. It was a step above just spinning the bottle. (When I was a tween, we always did both, but we gave ourselves seven minutes in heaven. Believe me, seven minutes is a long time in a dark closet.)
First training or “growing” bras was a milestone. Just as getting “it.” Oh, the wait for womanhood was long and fraught with surprises. Periods always come at the least opportune time. ARE YOU THERE, GOD? gave audiences every awkward second of this up-and-down growing-up journey. What made this movie so entertaining and funny was the pure honesty, innocence, and creativity. Learning to trust what feels right in your gut is front and center. Being able to say out loud what you think of family fighting, religion, lying, and being a people pleaser are also important plot lines. It is important to note that three generations of women learned these lessons in the end. Powerful, quiet dialogues are delivered every time.
This film was filled with amazing performances, but my three favorites had to be Margaret, her Mother, and the Grandmother. Strong, expressive, and highly emotional. Superb casting. I was lost in empathy for every one of them. Kudos.
ARE YOU THERE GOD? IT’S ME, MARGARET is not a story that is produced very often anymore. It should be. Most of us remember always being in a rush to grow up. Thank goodness we can all share movie magic through this genius film. It is endearing and will open memory boxes buried deep within our past. This is a special film parents can share with their budding teens…both girls and boys. Don’t miss the opportunity. It just does not happen very often. Enjoy.
ARE YOU THERE GOD? IT’S ME, MARGARET is now playing in theaters everywhere.
