Are
You There God? It's Me, Margaret | 2023 | 1h 46m
Genre: Coming-of-Age, Comedy, Drama, Family | Country: United
States
Director: Kelly Fremon Craig
Writers: Kelly Fremon Craig, Judy Blume
Cast: Abby Ryder Fortson, Rachel McAdams, Kathy Bates, and others
IMDb: 7.3
My Rating: 8/10
Moving to a new town changes every aspect of Margaret's life. As she navigates friendship, puberty, family, and first love, she also begins a deeply personal journey to understand faith and discover what it truly means to believe.
Warning:
None.Synopsis
Margaret
(Abby Ryder Fortson) returns home from summer camp expecting life to continue
as usual, only to learn that her family is moving to New Jersey after her
father receives a promotion. The news is difficult for her to accept. She must
leave behind her close friends, her familiar neighborhood, and her beloved
grandmother, who now lives alone.
Although
the move initially feels overwhelming, Margaret gradually adjusts to her new
surroundings. She quickly befriends her neighbor, Nancy (Elle Graham), who also
happens to be her classmate. Through Nancy, Margaret is introduced to a new
circle of friends and experiences many of the joys and insecurities that come
with adolescence.
Nancy
comes from a wealthy family and enjoys being seen as one of the most popular
girls at school. She forms a private club with her friends, where conversations
revolve around puberty, appearance, and growing up. As Margaret becomes part of
the group, she begins comparing herself to others and quietly worries about
whether she is developing "normally."
At
the same time, Margaret struggles with questions that go beyond adolescence.
Raised by parents from different religious backgrounds, she has never been
pressured to follow a particular faith. Instead, they encourage her to choose
for herself when she is ready. This freedom, however, leaves Margaret wondering
what faith truly means and where God fits into her own life.
As
she balances new friendships, changing emotions, and questions about identity,
can Margaret find the confidence to embrace the person she is becoming?
Review
Are
You There God? It's Me, Margaret is adapted from Judy Blume's beloved 1970
novel of the same name. Although the story is set decades ago, its exploration
of adolescence remains remarkably relevant. The film captures the uncertainty
of growing up with warmth and sincerity, making Margaret's experiences feel
both timeless and relatable.
One
of the film's greatest strengths is its honest portrayal of adolescence. Rather
than focusing solely on romance or school life, it embraces the awkwardness of
puberty, the pressure to fit in, the complexity of friendships, and the search
for personal identity. These experiences are presented naturally, making the
story especially meaningful for teenagers while also reminding adults of a
stage in life that is often confusing yet transformative.
The
narrative is well structured and easy to follow. Its conflicts unfold at a
gentle pace, allowing each emotional moment to resonate without becoming overly
dramatic. While most storylines reach satisfying conclusions, a few resolutions
feel intentionally open-ended.
For
example, Barbara's strained relationship with her parents never arrives at a
definitive resolution. Likewise, the misunderstandings between Margaret and her
friends seem to fade rather quickly, and Margaret's spiritual journey remains
ongoing rather than reaching a clear conclusion. However, these unresolved
elements also reflect the reality of adolescence. Not every question has an
immediate answer, and growing up is often a continuous process rather than a
destination.
Visually,
the film is charming. The cinematography, warm color palette, music, and sound
design all complement its nostalgic atmosphere. The performances are equally
engaging, particularly Abby Ryder Fortson, who captures Margaret's curiosity,
vulnerability, and emotional growth with remarkable sincerity.
One
aspect that feels slightly less convincing is the period presentation. Although
the story is set in the 1970s, the makeup and wardrobe occasionally lack the
distinctive style that would more fully immerse viewers in that era.
Overall,
Are You There God? It's Me, Margaret is a heartfelt coming-of-age drama
filled with warmth, humor, and empathy. It gently reminds us that growing up is
not about having all the answers, but about learning to embrace uncertainty
with honesty and courage.
Memorable Scene
Margaret
becomes curious about why she has never met her maternal grandparents. Instead
of avoiding the question, her mother honestly explains how their relationship
broke down after they opposed her decision to marry a man from a different
religious background.
This
quiet conversation is especially meaningful because it demonstrates the
importance of honesty between parents and children. Rather than hiding
difficult truths, Margaret's mother trusts her daughter to understand the
situation and form her own perspective.
Memorable Dialogue
"She has no religion until she decides for herself."
Ending
Happy
Ending
Recommendation
Worth
Watching
—
(Aluna
Uwie)
Had
been published in Alunauwie.com
"This article was originally written in Indonesian and has been adapted
into English for international readers."
 Review: A Heartfelt Coming-of-Age Story About Faith and Growing Up){kind=link}
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