ARE YOU THERE GOD? IT’S ME, MARGARET (2023)

A humorous, heartwarming adaptation of its source material, Are You There God? It’s Me, Margaret excels at every turn thanks to fantastic performances that bring the relevant script to life.

Based on the bestselling novel from Judy Blume, Margaret follows the titular character (played by Abby Ryder Fortson) as she wrestles with being an 11-year-old on the verge of womanhood. Fortson is an absolute force in this film, a confident debut that will launch her into a career to be followed. Rachel McAdams plays her mother here and is the best she has been in years (perhaps the break from acting helped?). The two of them have incredibly warm chemistry that sells the scripted relationship and builds the foundation upon which the rest of the film flourishes. It’s in the dialogue between these characters, as well as Margaret’s newfound friends, that the innocence and honesty is expertly captured. With the strength of such exchanges, the story becomes timeless and that the film ever relevant.

The character of Margaret, and coincidentally the film, also has a secret weapon in her corner: Kathy Bates. The veteran actor takes the minor role of Margaret’s grandmother and runs with it, delivering some of funniest moments of the film. Writer/Director Kelly Fremon Craig manages to breath fresh life into each of these familiar roles and has the cast to really make them connect with today’s audiences. That’s the core of what makes Margaret one of the best coming-of-age books of all time, and now one of the best coming-of-age films in recent memory. It’s one that all audiences can enjoy. It also helps that it’s just a damn good movie and certainly will be sitting in the top tier of 2023 films when all is said and done. If I were a betting man, I’d say there are a lot more Judy Blume adaptations in our future.

Are You There God? It’s Me, Margaret hits theaters Friday.

Rating: 5/5