Are You There God? It's Me, Margaret.
When her family moves from the city to the suburbs, 11-year-old Margaret navigates new friends, feelings, and the beginning of adolescence.
- Released: 2023-04-27
- Runtime: 106 minutes
- Genre: Comedy, Drama
- Stars: Kamryn Phillips, Abby Ryder Fortson, Rachel McAdams, Kathy Bates, Benny Safdie, Wilbur Fitzgerald, Elle Graham, Ethan McDowell, Mia Dillon, JeCobi Swain, Gary Houston, Aidan Wojtak-Hissong, Sloane Warren, Amari Alexis Price, Simms May, Landon S. Baxter, Samantha LeBrocq, Natalie Maguire, Francesca Black, Jane Klecker
- Director: Kelly Fremon Craig
Comments
- madanmarwah - 28 April 2024
Simple, sweet, endearing
This is a coming-of-age story of a 12 year old American girl Margaret who has a Jewish father and Christian mother. She is happy at school with her secret club of 3 other girl friends who are all coming to terms with the changes taking place in them and all around. All the girls are at the threshold of puberty, their bodies and hormones are changing and they somehow want to become attractive ladies as early as they can. They even tell lies when they want to impress the other girls. Margaret is confused with religion, family relationships, societal norms and also with the physiological changes in her body. She has just learnt that her mother was disowned by her parents after her marriage with a Jewish man. Margaret is not affiliated to any religion and everytime she has a confusing issue bothering her she exclaims " Are you there God ? This is me, Margaret " and then hopes God would give her a solution. She is close to her paternal grandmother who loves her dearly. In due course she meets her maternal grand parents. The movie is cute and heartwarming. The subject about adolescence is relatable.
Director Kelly Fremon Craig has made a simple, sweet and endearing film without making it complicated with sub plots. Maybe the movie has turned out so well since the director is a lady and so the "girlie" problems are presented realistically. Additionally the movie is based on a story whose author is a lady. Acting wise the little girl Abby Ryder Fortson has performed nicely projecting the correct amount of innocence and the expression required. Rachel McAdams is good as usual as the mother expressing her apprehensions and affections very well indeed. - akoaytao1234 - 19 January 2024
A Good Coming of Age from an Up and Coming Director
A Film Adaptation of the beloved coming of age book about a mixed-faith child who moved in the suburbs during her summer of adolescence. As she try to be friends with her neighbors and find herself controlling her urges, she discovers how her difference can affect people around her AND develop a bigger sense of herself.
This is pretty much a standard coming of age.
The biggest strength of this film is its script. I do not know how much it is indebted with the original book, but it never really tries to shield the girls or Margaret's family themselves. It shows Margaret, her family and her friends bare to what they can come off AND does not shy away from calling them out. Apparently, this was made by the same person who made the wonderful (Kelly Fremon Craig) Edge of Seventeen AND it shows. She just know how to delicately handle this freedom that kids has. Would definitely keep an eye for her.
Performance wise, Everyone here is moving like clockwork but I would give great kudos to the likes of Elle Graham and Rachel McAdams who stole the spotlight in their respective supporting roles as the ready-for-the-teenage-years neighbor/classmate of Margaret and Margaret's mom. I do wish that Abby Ryder went harder with her Margaret. I think the role kinda ate her up a bit.
Overall, still good film. Recommended.
